Parshottam Rupala Launches APPI & World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health

APPI project intends to improve India's readiness and response to animal pandemics, with a particular emphasis on zoonotic illnesses that endanger both animal and human health. Through community outreach, this effort will help to improve veterinarian services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capacities, early detection and response, the ability of animal health experts, and farmer awareness.

The occasion also marked the introduction of the World Bank-funded "Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH)" project, which aims to create an ecosystem for a better animal health management system utilizing the One Health approach across five (05) Indian states.

"India is home to a diverse animal species, and the livestock sector plays a critical role in the country's economy and food security," said Parshottam Rupala, Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy. We are, nonetheless, subject to the hazards posed by developing and zoonotic illnesses. The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative is a proactive measure to protect our animal resources while also ensuring our people's safety and health.

The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and the World Bank-funded "Animal Health System Support for One Health" are multifaceted attempts to treat animal pandemics holistically. We can better prevent and control zoonotic illnesses by strengthening our animal health systems and applying the One Health concept, which not only affect the health and welfare of our animals but also have substantial economic impact and human health problems."

Dr. L. Murugan, Hon'ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, addressed the gathering, saying, "The launch of the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) and Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) project is a step closer to addressing the animal pandemic and preparedness to handle any unknown infections in the future." We can promote sustainable and healthy fisheries that benefit both people and the environment by working together to execute One Health programmes.

Animal Husbandry and Dairying, stated, "In order to move towards preparing the system for any pandemic-like exigency, various actions must be coordinated, including strengthening disease surveillance, creating models for disease forewarning, improving R&D ecosystem and diagnostic capacities, streamlining regulatory ecosystem, providing better field responses, and mobilizing resources." The DAHD has undertaken significant adjustments to improve the country's livestock systems and programmes.  The Animal Pandemic Preparedness project, or APPI, is one such project that addresses all elements of disease prevention, control, and pandemic preparedness.

Integrated disease surveillance and monitoring, early warning and response, vaccines/diagnostics, R&D and production, and ecosystem cooperation with funding and regulatory framework enablers are among the critical factors. At the ceremony, the One Health Support Unit Bulletin/Publication was released, and the APPI and AHSSOH Videos were launched. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, MoH & FW, Oliver Braedt, Head, Agriculture and Food Global Practise, World Bank, and Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD were among those present.

Nearly 200 key stakeholders from various sectors attended the event, including representatives from international organizations (WHO, WB, FAO, WOAH, UNEP), concerned Ministries, animal health experts from ICAR and ICMR research institutes, and other government stakeholders. The Government of India's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) is committed to the successful implementation of the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and the World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health, and looks forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve this important goal.