Workshop highlights urgent need for comprehensive health strategies

At a seminar on Tuesday, the director of the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), Hyderabad, chaired a session on antimicrobial resistance. |Photo source: Special arrangement

To address interconnected global health challenges, the Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad (IIPH-H), in collaboration with the Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla Center for Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness, hosted a Seminar entitled “One Planet, One Health, One Future”. The campaign highlights the interdependent nature of human, animal and environmental health and advocates for multi-sector collaboration to address pressing public health issues.

Experts from different disciplines including public health, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical research and anthropology participated in panel discussions centered on the One Health approach. The meetings explored the integration of cross-sectoral health strategies to prevent and manage zoonotic diseases, enhance disease surveillance and enhance pandemic preparedness.

Dr Sumithra Nair, Joint Director, NPCCHH, Telangana, highlighted the critical role of frontline health workers and the importance of inter-departmental collaboration to improve public health emergency preparedness. Dr. G. Narendra Kumar, Director General, NIRDPR, highlighted the relevance of the One Health approach in the post-pandemic scenario. He highlighted the Healthy Villages initiative, which focuses on community-driven surveillance and management of infectious diseases, in line with India’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The workshop consisted of expert-led panels covering key topics such as emerging infectious diseases, food safety and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). At the meeting chaired by IIPH-H Director Anil Kaul, antimicrobial resistance was seen as a key issue worsened by globalization. He pointed to increased movement of people and goods as factors accelerating the spread of pathogens. The workshop concluded with a strong call to action, arguing for continued interdisciplinary collaboration as the only viable way to protect the health of humans, animals and ecosystems.