India's One Health Push: NIOH Takes Charge on Disease Outbreaks
A National Institute of One Health is being established in Nagpur, featuring a specialized team to rapidly address disease outbreaks. Led by key figures like Dr. Pragya Yadav, the initiative fosters multi-sector collaboration to enhance research, surveillance, and response to zoonotic diseases and pandemic threats.
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The National Institute of One Health (NIOH) in Nagpur is spearheading new efforts to enhance India's capability in dealing with disease outbreaks. A notable feature is the National Outbreak Response Team, which aims at quickly pinpointing and analyzing the origins of various health emergencies.
Dr. Pragya Yadav, who is leading the initiative as the Director-in-Charge of NIOH and a senior scientist at ICMR-NIV, Pune, highlighted the importance of multi-sector collaboration in this effort. In an interview, she emphasized ongoing initiatives, including national-level mock drills and the integration of a National Joint Outbreak Response Team. This team focuses on investigating disease origins and improving vaccine research, antiviral strategies, and cost-effective diagnostics.
According to Dr. Yadav, the institute serves as a collaborative hub for multiple ministries and sectors focused on elevating India's research capabilities. This endeavor aims not only to prepare the country for future health crises but also to make India more resilient. The establishment of NIOH is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the nation's ability to combat pandemics and zoonotic disease outbreaks.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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