Hindu Editorial Analysis : 16-April-2024
The concept of One Health is becoming increasingly important around the world. This approach is a unified method that aims to balance and improve the health of people, animals, and the environment. It emphasizes that the health of humans, animals (both domestic and wild), plants, and ecosystems are interconnected.
Historical Context
The roots of this idea can be traced back to ancient Greece, specifically to Hippocrates (460-367 BC), who recognized the link between public health and clean environments.
Benefits of One Health
Implementing the One Health approach offers numerous benefits:
- Disease Control: It helps reduce potential threats at the interface where humans, animals, and the environment meet, controlling diseases that can spread between these groups.
- Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): The approach addresses the growing issue of AMR, which affects both humans and animals.
- Food Safety: Ensuring that food is safe for consumption is another crucial benefit.
- Environmental Protection: It aims to prevent health threats to both humans and animals that arise from environmental issues.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting various species and ecosystems is essential for a healthy planet.
The Need for One Health in India
India faces unique challenges that highlight the need for the One Health approach:
- Diverse Wildlife and Livestock: With a large population of wildlife and livestock, India is at higher risk for diseases that can jump between species.
- Recent Outbreaks: The Covid pandemic and outbreaks like Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle and Avian Influenza show that addressing health issues requires a broader perspective beyond just human health.
Opportunities for Integrated Responses
This interconnectedness opens doors for collaboration among different sectors, allowing for a more effective response to health threats.
India’s Initiatives Towards One Health
India has made significant strides in implementing the One Health approach:
- Tripartite Alliance: India’s vision is based on a global agreement among key organizations, including the FAO, OIE, WHO, and UNEP, promoting “One World, One Health.”
- National One Health Mission: Launched in July 2022, this mission aims to integrate health efforts across sectors.
- G-20 Endorsement: During India’s presidency of the G-20, member countries endorsed One Health, focusing on improved surveillance and collaboration.
- Integrated Disease Surveillance Project: Although established in 2004, it has faced challenges in integrating human and animal surveillance.
- Centre for One Health: Set up by the ICMR in Nagpur to focus on zoonotic diseases.
- Consortium on One Health: Launched in October 2021, this initiative includes 27 organizations to assess animal and zoonotic diseases.
Challenges to Overcome
Despite these initiatives, several challenges persist:
- Financial Resources: Limited funding from the government hampers progress.
- Awareness: There is a low level of awareness regarding zoonotic risks among various stakeholders.
- Institutional Framework: A lack of organized institutions and legal frameworks complicates efforts.
- Coordination Issues: Bureaucracy can hinder effective collaboration.
- Expert Interest: There is insufficient interest from health experts in the One Health concept.
- Community Communication: Effective communication with local communities remains a challenge.
Why In News
The concept of ‘One Health’ is currently gaining popularity worldwide, reflecting a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing global health challenges.
MCQs about The Growing Importance of the One Health Approach
- What is the main goal of the One Health approach?
A. To improve only human health
B. To focus exclusively on animal health
C. To sustainably balance the health of people, animals, and ecosystems
D. To eliminate all diseases
- Which historical figure is associated with early ideas related to the One Health concept?
A. Aristotle
B. Galen
C. Hippocrates
D. Avicenna
- What is one of the key benefits of implementing the One Health approach?
A. It promotes urban development.
B. It ensures food safety.
C. It increases pollution.
D. It eliminates wildlife.
- What challenge does India face in implementing the One Health approach?
A. Excessive funding availability
B. High awareness of zoonotic risks
C. Lack of organized institutions and legal frameworks
D. Overpopulation of wildlife
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