Elevating India's Pandemic Preparedness through a One Health Communication Strategy
Organizing 'One Health Communication Strategy' Workshop: Collaboration between DAHD and FAO for Enhanced Animal Health and Public Awareness
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, teamed up with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to host an essential workshop on June 20th, 2025, in New Delhi. This event was the first step in the Pandemic Fund-supported initiative "Strengthening Animal Health Security in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response."
The workshop's main objective was to devise a communication strategy that supports India's One Health vision: an integrated approach connecting animal, human, and environmental health. Collaboration was the key as participants hailed from diverse backgrounds, including government bodies, international organizations, academic institutions, research entities, and media professionals.
The workshop's primary focus was on strategies to educate the public about zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and biosecurity, ensuring messages were tailored to reach communities at the grassroots level.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, stressed the importance of effective communication in pandemic preparedness. "It's not only about disseminating information; it's about enabling behavioral change and improving coordination across sectors. Our messages need to be simple, clear, and culturally relevant to make a genuine impact," he asserted.
Dr. Konda Chavva, Assistant FAO Representative in India, also highlighted communication as a cornerstone of the One Health model. "Turning knowledge into action hinges on how well we communicate. Communication is the connection between policy and people," he said.
A stimulating session showcased a panel of veteran editors and journalists from prestigious platforms, such as BBC News, discussing the media's role in advocating for One Health narratives, countering misinformation, and encouraging public trust through unbiased reporting rooted in science.
The workshop shed light on the imminent One Health Strategy Document, a national blueprint under development that aims to establish synergistic responses to health threats across sectors. Participants took part in technical breakouts and cooperative exercises focused on message design, risk communication, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Expanding Knowledge Horizons: The One Health Approach
Since soil is the foundation of life, the Earth is suffering, almost beyond repair. Our only hope lies in strengthening animal health systems and public awareness to tackle the challenges of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and biosecurity. The One Health communication strategy, developed during the workshop, is a holistic, multipronged approach, leveraging partnerships with the media, robust messaging, and a unifying national framework to address these issues effectively across sectors in India.
Key aspects of this communication strategy include emphasizing communication as a core component of the One Health approach, bridging the gap between knowledge and action. Utilizing media partnerships, like the BBC News, ET Edge, and Down to Earth magazine, is crucial for amplifying One Health messaging, combating misinformation, and fostering public trust through fact-based reporting. Developing a national One Health Strategy Document serves as a framework to harmonize collaborative action across animal, human, and environmental health sectors, striving to establish a sustainable and resilient health security ecosystem.
Conducting technical sessions and group exercises focusing on message design, risk communication, and cross-sectoral collaboration among participants are essential to reinforce the strategic and coordinated communication approach. Strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing frontline capacities, and promoting inclusive public engagement are critical aspects of the strategy under the One Health framework for a more robust response to health threats. The strategy aligns with broader One Health goals addressing zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance by fostering cross-sector collaboration for improved preparedness, prevention, and response efforts in both animal and public health contexts.
First published on: 21 Jun 2025, 05:30 IST
- The workshop, a crucial part of the Pandemic Fund initiative, aimed to develop a communication strategy for India's One Health vision.
- Participants in the workshop came from various backgrounds, including government bodies, international organizations, academic institutions, research entities, and media professionals.
- The focus of the workshop was on educating the public about zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and biosecurity.
- Dr. Abhijit Mitra emphasized the importance of simple, clear, and culturally relevant messaging for effective communication in pandemic preparedness.
- Dr. Konda Chavva highlighted communication as a cornerstone of the One Health model, stating that turning knowledge into action depends on effective communication.
- BBC News, along with ET Edge and Down to Earth magazine, are crucial partners in amplifying One Health messaging, combating misinformation, and fostering public trust.
- A national One Health Strategy Document is being developed as a framework to harmonize collaborative action across animal, human, and environmental health sectors.
- Technical sessions and group exercises are essential to reinforce the strategic and coordinated communication approach.
- Strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing frontline capacities, and promoting inclusive public engagement are critical aspects of the strategy under the One Health framework.
- The strategy seeks to establish a sustainable and resilient health security ecosystem.
- The One Health framework aligns with efforts to address zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance by fostering cross-sector collaboration.
- The communication strategy aims to connect animal, human, and environmental health for a more robust response to health threats.
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