Introduction to One Health Approach

The One Health approach is a multisectoral, integrated strategy that links human, animal, and environmental health to address complex health challenges. Originating from the recognition that over 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic (WHO, 2023), One Health gained prominence during the 2003-04 SARS outbreak and was further emphasized during the Avian Influenza H5N1 crisis. It acknowledges interdependencies among ecosystems, wildlife, livestock, and human populations, necessitating coordinated surveillance, prevention, and response mechanisms.

Legal and Institutional Frameworks Supporting One Health in India

India’s legal architecture partially supports One Health through sector-specific laws but lacks a unified mandate. The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 empowers states to manage human epidemics, while the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 governs animal disease control. Environmental safeguards fall under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Section 3), enabling ecosystem protection. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 regulates zoonotic pathogens in food.

The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR), 2017 is a landmark inter-ministerial framework involving the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aiming to curb AMR through coordinated efforts.

• Key institutions: National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Judicial backing: Supreme Court rulings such as M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987) have affirmed environmental health as integral to the right to life under Article 21.

Economic Stakes and Resource Allocation

The economic impact of zoonotic diseases and AMR in India is significant. The livestock sector contributes 4.11% to India’s GDP (Economic Survey 2023-24), with exports of animal products valued at USD 7.2 billion in 2022 (APEDA). Outbreaks like the Nipah virus in Kerala (2018) incurred costs exceeding ₹100 crore in containment and economic loss.

India increased budgetary allocation for the NCDC by 15% in 2023-24, reaching ₹350 crore, to enhance zoonotic disease surveillance. Globally, the One Health market was valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 12.3% till 2030 (Grand View Research). The World Bank (2017) estimates unchecked AMR could cost India 2-3.5% of GDP by 2050, underscoring the urgency of integrated interventions.

Data-Driven Insights on Disease Burden and Surveillance

• India reported over 1,200 zoonotic disease outbreaks from 2015 to 2022 (NCDC data).
• Antimicrobial resistance accounts for approximately 58,000 neonatal deaths annually in India (Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2022).
• Only 35% of Indian districts have integrated human-animal health surveillance systems (NCDC, 2023).
• Joint One Health interventions have reduced rabies incidence by 30% in Tamil Nadu through coordinated vaccination campaigns (State Health Department, 2022).
• India’s NAP-AMR involves coordination among 5 ministries and 10 key stakeholders, reflecting the complexity of multisectoral governance (MoHFW, 2017).

Comparative Analysis: India vs United States One Health Frameworks

Critical Gaps in India’s One Health Implementation

• Absence of a legally mandated, centralized One Health coordination mechanism leads to siloed responses.
• Lack of binding inter-ministerial protocols and data-sharing frameworks delays outbreak containment.
• Limited dedicated funding restricts capacity building and integrated surveillance expansion.
• Inadequate integration of environmental health with human and animal health sectors.

Way Forward: Strengthening One Health in India

• Establish a legally binding, centralized One Health authority with inter-ministerial representation and clear mandates.
• Expand integrated surveillance systems to cover all districts, leveraging digital platforms for real-time data sharing.
• Increase dedicated budget allocations for One Health research, capacity building, and outbreak preparedness.
• Enhance coordination between MoHFW, MoEFCC, Ministry of Agriculture, and other stakeholders through formal protocols.
• Promote community awareness and stakeholder engagement on zoonotic disease risks and AMR.
• Adopt international best practices from countries like the US to institutionalize One Health frameworks.

Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance

• JPSC Paper: Paper 2 – Public Health and Environment
• Jharkhand Angle: Jharkhand’s forested areas and tribal populations increase human-animal interface risks, necessitating One Health surveillance for zoonotic diseases like Kyasanur Forest Disease.
• Mains Pointer: Emphasize integrated health surveillance, state capacity building, and community engagement in tribal and forest fringe areas.