Introduction to One Health Approach

The One Health approach is a coordinated, multisectoral strategy that integrates human, animal, and environmental health to manage complex health threats. Its conceptual origin dates back to the 2003-04 SARS outbreak, which exposed the interdependence of these domains in emerging infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 60% of emerging infectious diseases globally are zoonotic, underscoring the necessity of this integrated framework.

India faces significant challenges from zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with over 1,200 zoonotic outbreaks reported between 2015-2022 (NCDC, 2023) and approximately 58,000 neonatal deaths annually due to AMR (ICMR, 2022). The One Health approach is thus imperative for India’s health security and economic stability.

Legal and Constitutional Framework Supporting One Health in India

India’s legal architecture provides multiple statutes that collectively underpin the One Health approach, though no unified legal mandate exists.

• Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (Section 2) empowers state governments to enact epidemic control measures, critical during zoonotic outbreaks.
• Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Section 3) authorizes the central government to protect ecosystems, integral to environmental health under One Health.
• Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 governs animal disease control, essential for zoonotic disease management.
• National Biodiversity Act, 2002 (Section 36) mandates biodiversity conservation, indirectly supporting ecosystem resilience.
• Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 regulates veterinary education and practice, ensuring animal health surveillance capabilities.
• National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) 2017-2021 represents a collaborative policy by the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment to curb AMR.

Despite these provisions, the absence of a legally mandated, unified One Health governance framework results in fragmented institutional responses and data silos.

Economic Dimensions of One Health in India

India’s economy is vulnerable to zoonotic diseases and AMR, which impact public health and livestock productivity.

• The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) received a 15% budget increase in 2023-24 to ₹350 crore, reflecting heightened focus on zoonotic surveillance.
• Livestock contributes 4.11% to India’s GDP (Economic Survey 2023), linking animal health directly to economic output.
• Zoonotic outbreaks cost India an estimated USD 3 billion annually (NITI Aayog, 2023).
• The global One Health diagnostics and therapeutics market is projected to reach USD 10 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 12% (WHO, 2023), indicating growth potential for India’s biotech sector.
• Antimicrobial resistance threatens to reduce India’s GDP by 2-3.5% by 2050 if unaddressed (ICMR, 2022).
• India’s One Health initiatives have attracted over USD 50 million in international funding since 2020 (WHO India), boosting research and capacity building.

Key Institutions Driving One Health in India

Multiple institutions operate within their mandates to implement aspects of One Health, but coordination remains suboptimal.

• National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Surveillance and outbreak response for zoonoses.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): Research on zoonotic diseases and AMR.
• Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD): Animal health and disease control.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): Ecosystem and biodiversity conservation.
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): Regulates food safety impacting One Health.
• World Health Organization (WHO): Provides global policy guidance and technical support.

The One Health Consortium in India includes over 50 institutions but lacks a centralized governance mechanism to enforce data sharing and joint action.

Comparative Analysis: India vs Rwanda on One Health Implementation

Critical Gaps in India’s One Health Implementation

• Absence of a legally mandated unified One Health governance framework results in siloed data and delayed outbreak responses.
• Lack of inter-sectoral data sharing protocols among health, veterinary, and environmental agencies.
• Insufficient integration of environmental health policies with human and animal health programs.
• Limited capacity for real-time surveillance and joint outbreak response at the national and state levels.
• Fragmented funding and resource allocation reduce efficiency and innovation.

Significance and Way Forward

• Institutionalize a One Health Act to legally mandate coordination, data sharing, and joint action plans across sectors.
• Strengthen surveillance infrastructure integrating human, veterinary, and environmental health data streams.
• Enhance capacity building for cross-sectoral professionals through joint training programs.
• Leverage international funding and partnerships to scale One Health research and implementation.
• Promote community awareness on zoonotic disease prevention and AMR to reduce anthropogenic risk factors.
• Integrate One Health principles explicitly into state health policies to improve local outbreak management.

Practice Questions

Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance

• JPSC Paper: Paper 2 (Health and Environment), Paper 3 (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry)
• Jharkhand Angle: The state’s large tribal population depends on livestock and forest ecosystems, making zoonotic disease surveillance and ecosystem health critical.
• Mains Pointer: Emphasize Jharkhand’s vulnerability to zoonoses due to forest-livestock-human interface and the need for integrated One Health policies at the state level.