The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in India, Purshottam Rupala, has initiated two launches which aim at developing the country’s preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics.
This Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) will concentrate on Zoonotic diseases which pose a life threat to the health of both animals and humans. The main objective of this initiative is to improve the infrastructure and veterinary services, early detection and response on disease surveillance, the condition of animal health professionals, and mainly the awareness among farmers regarding the issue through community outreach.
Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) is a World Bank-funded project which focuses on creating an environment for improving animal health management systems utilizing the One Health approach in 5 states of India.
Shri Purshottam Rupala, Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, stated that India is a diverse country where the livestock sector plays an important role. Hence, it is important to take proper steps in preserving its health.
The initiatives were launched with a holistic approach of promoting sustainable ad healthy fisheries which will benefit the environment and humans.
At an event, the One Health Support Unit was released and AHSSOH and APPI videos were launched. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood who is the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof (Dr). Atul Goel is the Director General of Health Services, at MoH & FW, Mr Oliver Braedt, is the Head, of Agriculture ad Food Global Practice at the World Bank, Dr. Abhijit Mitra is the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD attended the event for its noble purpose.
Around 200 stakeholders from various sectors including representatives from International Organizations, Animal Health Experts, Concerned Ministries, and other Government Stakeholders took part in this initiative.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, is committed to successfully implementing these initiatives and looking forward to working with every stakeholder towards this objective.
