Paul said this while inaugurating a two-day National Consultation on Legal Environment Assessment for the One Health initiative, in the national capital.
"India is ahead of several countries in drafting the legal framework to support and strengthen the implementation of the One Health initiative. This represents India's advanced thought process and leadership, and shows our vision in this area," he said he.
Paul also emphasized the importance of timely national consultation with multiple partners and stakeholders, as the critical health issues raised by zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food security and climate change are interconnected.
"Covid-19 has forced us to refocus our attention on the importance of zoonotic diseases and the intricate links between human, animal and plant ecosystems," he said.
He added that India has taken the lead in ensuring One Health goals that resonate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "One Earth, One Health" and "we are crossing boundaries not only for our nation but for the world."
Furthermore, V.K. Paul said, "India has taken up the formulation of National Action Plan (NAP) 2.0 to address the issues raised due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and conceptualized the One Health Mission."
For her part, Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Union Health Ministry, pointed out that more than 75 per cent of the diseases that affect humans are zoonotic diseases.
She said the One Health approach will be critical to “prevent and manage risks at the human-animal-plant interface.”
She noted that states are strengthening their surveillance, prevention and management of zoonotic and other diseases.
The two-day event is organized by the Center for One Health, the National Center for Disease Control and the Directorate General of Health Services from June 27 to 28 in the national capital.
"India is ahead of several countries in drafting the legal framework to support and strengthen the implementation of the One Health initiative. This represents India's advanced thought process and leadership, and shows our vision in this area," he said he.
Paul also emphasized the importance of timely national consultation with multiple partners and stakeholders, as the critical health issues raised by zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food security and climate change are interconnected.
"Covid-19 has forced us to refocus our attention on the importance of zoonotic diseases and the intricate links between human, animal and plant ecosystems," he said.
He added that India has taken the lead in ensuring One Health goals that resonate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "One Earth, One Health" and "we are crossing boundaries not only for our nation but for the world."
Furthermore, V.K. Paul said, "India has taken up the formulation of National Action Plan (NAP) 2.0 to address the issues raised due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and conceptualized the One Health Mission."
For her part, Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Union Health Ministry, pointed out that more than 75 per cent of the diseases that affect humans are zoonotic diseases.
She said the One Health approach will be critical to “prevent and manage risks at the human-animal-plant interface.”
She noted that states are strengthening their surveillance, prevention and management of zoonotic and other diseases.
The two-day event is organized by the Center for One Health, the National Center for Disease Control and the Directorate General of Health Services from June 27 to 28 in the national capital.
