Ministries join hands to initiate a Unified Legal & Policy Framework for One Health
IMT News Desk
Discussions were held on to set up a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to breaking down the silos between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors
Dr Vinod Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog inaugurated a two-day National Consultation on Legal Environment Assessment for 'One Health' initiative, in New Delhi.
Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHF&W), Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice were also present.
Dr Paul stated that the issues of critical health challenges posed by zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety, and climate change are interconnected and require a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to breaking down the silos between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors.
Highlighting that more than 75 per cent of the diseases that affect humans are zoonotic diseases, Chandra stated that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is committed to preventing and managing risks at the human-animal-plant interface through the One Health approach.
Nandan stressed on the need for a commonality of approach among different ministries in ensuring the achievement of One Health goals.
Rajiv Mani re-iterated the support from the Ministry of Law and Justice to assist the stakeholders in making required amendments or changes in the existing laws and policy frameworks to align with the One Health principle and mandates of the country for the protection of the health of all species including animals and the climate.
The National Consultation for Legal Environment Assessment for One Health Activities aims to:
1) Assess the current legal framework: Identify strengths, gaps, and overlaps in the existing laws and regulations that impact One Health activities.
2) Foster multi-sectoral dialogue: Bring together stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society to discuss legal challenges and opportunities.
3) Develop actionable recommendations: Formulate concrete proposals to enhance the legal environment, ensuring it is conducive to the integrated One Health approach.
4) Promote inter-sectoral collaboration: Strengthen partnerships among sectors responsible for human, animal, and environmental health.
