Why in News?
On World Health Day 2026, observed on 7 April, global attention was drawn to the One Health approach as a critical strategy for pandemic preparedness and equitable healthcare. Themed “Together for health. Stand with science”, the day highlighted scientific collaboration across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
India’s focus on the National One Health Mission (NOHM) underscores its commitment to integrated disease control, especially in the face of rising zoonotic threats like Nipah, Avian Influenza (H5N1), and Rabies.
Global Context
- International One Health Summit: Hosted by France during its G7 Presidency, promoting multilateral cooperation.
- Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres: Brought together 800 scientific institutions from over 80 countries, forming the largest scientific network in UN history.
These initiatives reinforce science-driven partnerships as central to global health security.
What is the One Health Approach?
One Health is an integrated, unifying framework that recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and ecosystem health. It aims to sustainably balance and optimize health across all three domains.
Key Principles:
- Health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment are interconnected.
- Requires multi-sectoral coordination (health, agriculture, environment).
- Applied at local, national, and global levels.
- Promotes shared governance, data integration, and joint action.
Why is One Health Critical for India?
1. High Biodiversity & Human-Wildlife Interface
- India occupies 2.4% of global land area but hosts 8% of global species.
- Intense human-wildlife interaction increases zoonotic spillover risks.
- Over 60–70% of emerging infectious diseases in India are zoonotic.
2. Massive Livestock Population
- India has the world’s largest livestock population (535 million animals as per 20th Livestock Census).
- Livestock act as bridges between wildlife pathogens and humans.
3. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
- Overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals leads to drug-resistant ‘superbugs’.
- AMR is projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 globally if unchecked.
4. Climate Change & Vector-Borne Diseases
- Deforestation, urbanization, and warming climates expand habitats of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.
- Diseases like Dengue, Malaria, and Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) are spreading to new regions.
National One Health Mission (NOHM)
Launched under the guidance of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), NOHM is a cross-ministerial initiative to create an integrated biosecurity architecture.
Key Features:
- Anchor Institution: National Institute for One Health, Nagpur.
- Implementing Agency: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- Governance Structure:
- Executive Committee: Policy-level decision-making.
- Scientific Steering Committee: Technical guidance and R&D oversight.
- Integration of 13 Departments: Includes health, animal husbandry, environment, forests, and biotechnology.
Operational Focus:
- AI-enabled early pathogen detection.
- Accelerated R&D for vaccines and diagnostics.
- Development of a National Wildlife Health Policy to monitor spillover risks.
- Shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, preventive healthcare.
Challenges in Implementation
| Challenge | Description |
|---|---|
| Siloed Governance | Human, animal, and environmental sectors operate independently with poor data sharing. |
| Resource Constraints | Veterinary and wildlife health systems lack funding, infrastructure, and trained personnel. |
| Low Public Health Spending | India spends only ~2.1% of GDP on health, below the NHP target of 2.5%. |
| Ecological Degradation | Deforestation and urbanization increase human-animal contact, raising zoonotic risks. |
Measures to Strengthen One Health in India
| Measure | Objective |
|---|---|
| Institutionalizing Coordination | Create a statutory body with representation from key ministries for integrated policymaking. |
| Integrated Surveillance | Develop a unified, real-time disease monitoring system across humans, livestock, and wildlife. |
| Strengthening Primary Care | Empower Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for early detection and community-level response. |
| Regulating Antibiotic Use | Enforce strict controls on antibiotic use in livestock and poultry to combat AMR. |
Conclusion
The One Health approach is India’s best defense against the ‘Triple Threat’:
- Pandemics (e.g., Nipah, Avian Flu)
- Climate Change (expanding vector zones)
- Antimicrobial Resistance (due to unchecked antibiotic use)
By treating the health of the farmer, the cow, and the forest as one system, India can transition from crisis response to prevention and resilience.
UPSC Relevance
- Prelims: One Health, NOHM, ICMR, zoonotic diseases, AMR.
- Mains: Integrated disease surveillance, environmental health linkages, governance reforms.
Previous Year Question
Mains 2021: “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.