Strengthening Sustainable Health Systems

One Health is a collaborative and transdisciplinary approach that operates on local, regional, national, and global scales. It aims to optimize health outcomes by acknowledging the interconnectedness of people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Despite advancements in economic development and human well-being, these have often negatively impacted ecosystems, environmental health, and animal welfare.

With the global population projected to hit 9 billion by 2050 and current consumption and production patterns being unsustainable, the strain on natural systems is both immense and intensifying.

Factors such as land-use change, unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation, land degradation, and biodiversity loss are threatening ecosystem integrity and increasing health risks at the human-animal-environment interface, particularly affecting vulnerable communities. These risks are compounded by urbanization, unsustainable food production and consumption, poor waste management, increased trade and travel, pollution, and climate change.

Environmental degradation and the erosion of ecosystem services have profound implications for health, food production, and natural systems. It is imperative to reassess and transform human, animal, and environmental interactions to ensure health, well-being, and sustainability. This is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness of biodiversity, a healthy environment, food systems, and human health, highlighting vulnerabilities and the urgent need for transformative change in how we approach disease emergence and spread.

SKUAST-Kashmir, as a socially responsible institution, supported local administration in managing COVID-19 by providing resources. It also initiated research on Coronavirus before the pandemic, aiming to develop a vaccine for poultry. However, more efforts are needed to prevent, predict, detect, and respond to health threats, while enhancing human, animal, and environmental health.

Establishing a 'School of One Health' in SKUAST-Kashmir could be transformative and futuristic, requiring high-level institutional support. Effective implementation of this proposal could significantly impact the development of evidence-based policies, strengthening health systems and ecosystems, and enhancing social, ecological, and economic resilience. SKUAST-K’s pioneering role in this initiative highlights its global reputation for trans-disciplinary education and its strong research ecosystem. This positions the university as a key driver of a knowledge-based, tech-driven bio-economy regionally and beyond.

SKUAST-K’S school of one health

Tagline

Developing innovative solutions for One Health challenges

Vision

To create and lead a globally connected One Health research and education ecosystem for sustainably improving the health of humans, animals and the environment through shared knowledge and innovation.

Mission

To work for healthy co-existence between humans and animals in sustainable ecosystems by developing competent future public health leaders through learning, discovery and engagement in One Health

Objectives:

• To investigate the health linkages among humans, animals and their shared environments
• To build competent teams to create research, education and outreach programs around One Health
• To place sustainable human-animal-environmental health at the centre of public policy through quality teaching, research and advocacy

Impact:

• Improved Public Health and Global Security
• Improved Animal Health, and Productivity, Greater Wildlife Biodiversity
• Greater Sustainability of Natural Resources
• Public Awareness (IEC) on One Health Issues

SKUAST-K’s proposed School of One Health is set to revolutionize the future of health through cutting-edge teaching, research and innovation, and skill development. To launch this visionary project, we need to build on our existing strengths: top-notch food testing and animal research labs, skilled professionals in fields such as animal health, soil and plant health, environmental science, biotechnology, bio-statistics, artificial intelligence, wildlife science, aquatic animal health, natural resource management as well as well-organized community engagement centres.

The key to moving forward lies in enhancing collaboration, coordination, and cooperation with stakeholders. This involves adding relevant staff and infrastructure to fully realize the project's potential. The proposal, now with the J&K UT Government’s Finance Department for staff approval, promises to be a game-changer for the region’s development.

This project has already garnered significant attention and input from top experts worldwide. International luminaries like Dr Siobhan Mor from the University of Liverpool UK, and Dr Hung from the International Livestock Research Institute, Ethiopia along with national figures such as Dr Parvaiz Koul, Ex Director SKIMS Srinagar, Dr SM Salim, Head Community Medicine GMC Srinagar and Dr BR Gulati, Director ICAR-NIVEDI Bangalore have contributed their insights in numerous workshops and high-level meetings. The events culminated in a landmark declaration on September 4, 2023, at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Shuhama, signed by these scientists.

With the dynamic leadership of SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai and strong backing from the J&K Government, the approval for the School of One Health is anticipated soon. Ideally, its inauguration on November 3, 2024 - aligning with the World One Health Day - would mark a significant milestone. This event has the potential to advance Jammu & Kashmir towards a more progressive, future-ready region and set a new benchmark for India’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

The author is Head, Vety Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, SKUAST Kashmir