National One Health Mission Workshop in Nagpur Sets Operational Framework for Pandemic Preparedness — UPSC Current Affairs | March 18, 2026
National One Health Mission Workshop in Nagpur Sets Operational Framework for Pandemic Preparedness
The National Institute of One Health in Nagpur hosted a two‑day workshop (18‑19 March 2026) to translate the National One Health Mission into actionable state‑level frameworks. Senior officials emphasized integrated surveillance, inter‑sectoral coordination, and development of medical countermeasures to strengthen India's pandemic preparedness.
The National Institute of One Health (NIOH) in Nagpur, under the Department of Health Research (DHR) , organised a two‑day national workshop (18‑19 March 2026) on “Operational Frameworks for One Health: National Vision and State Action”. The event aimed to convert the vision of the National One Health Mission (NOHM) into concrete strategies for states and districts. Key Developments Keynote by Prof. Ajay Sood , Principal Scientific Advisor, underscored that One Health is the foundation of national health security and future pandemic preparedness. Virtual address by Dr. Rajiv Bahl , Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR, highlighted the whole‑of‑government architecture of the NOHM and the need for state‑level outbreak response teams. Technical sessions covered operationalising surveillance, inter‑sectoral coordination, and development of medical countermeasures against zoonotic diseases . Day 2 focused on biothreat preparedness, wildlife‑related outbreak investigations and the role of wildlife monitoring in early warning systems. Important Facts The workshop brought together senior officials including Dr. Niteen Patil (VC, MAFSU Nagpur), Dr. Prashant P. Joshi (Executive Director, AIIMS Nagpur), Dr. Ranjan Das (Director, NCDC), and state‑level representatives from Maharashtra’s animal husbandry and health departments. Over 70 participants from central and state agencies, research institutions, and technical partners attended. Key recommendations included: (i) creation of interoperable data platforms linking human health surveillance, veterinary disease reporting, wildlife monitoring and environmental intelligence; (ii) formation of district‑level inter‑sectoral coordination teams; (iii) capacity building for rapid detection and response to spill‑over events. UPSC Relevance The workshop illustrates the practical implementation of a flagship health policy, linking concepts from GS‑4 (Health, Environment) and GS‑3 (Science & Technology). Understanding the One Health framework helps answer questions on pandemic preparedness, zoonotic risk management, and the role of inter‑ministerial coordination. It also showcases how ministries like DHR and agencies such as ICMR operationalise health security strategies. Way Forward States are urged to adopt the operational guidelines, establish real‑time data sharing mechanisms, and set up dedicated inter‑sectoral coordination cells at district levels. Continuous training of health workers, veterinarians, and wildlife officers, coupled with investment in diagnostic infrastructure, will strengthen early warning and response capabilities. Monitoring the rollout of the NOHM will be a key indicator of India’s preparedness for future pandemics.
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Overview
One Health Mission drives integrated pandemic preparedness across human, animal, and environment sectors
Key Facts
National One Health Mission (NOHM) workshop held on 18‑19 March 2026 at NIOH, Nagpur, under the Department of Health Research (DHR).
Keynote speakers: Prof. Ajay Sood (Principal Scientific Advisor) and Dr. Rajiv Bahl (Secretary DHR & DG ICMR).
Over 70 senior officials from central and state agencies, including VC MAFSU Nagpur, AIIMS Nagpur, NCDC, attended.
Core recommendations: (i) interoperable data platform linking human health, veterinary, wildlife and environmental surveillance; (ii) district‑level inter‑sectoral coordination teams; (iii) capacity building for rapid detection and response to spill‑over events.
NOHM aims to operationalise the One Health approach to strengthen surveillance and response to zoonotic diseases and biothreats.
Technical sessions emphasized development of medical countermeasures, wildlife monitoring for early warning, and biothreat preparedness.
The initiative aligns with GS‑3 (Science & Technology) and GS‑4 (Health & Environment) for national health security.
Background & Context
One Health integrates human, animal and environmental health to curb zoonotic spill‑overs, a lesson reinforced by COVID‑19. The NOHM, launched by DHR, provides a whole‑of‑government framework to operationalise this concept, linking surveillance, research and response across ministries and states, thereby strengthening India's pandemic preparedness and health security.
UPSC Syllabus Connections
GS2•Government policies and interventions for developmentPrelims_GS•National Current AffairsEssay•Economy, Development and InequalityEssay•Science, Technology and SocietyGS3•Developments in science and technology and their applicationsEssay•Youth, Health and WelfarePrelims_GS•Biology and HealthGS2•Functions and responsibilities of Union and StatesGS1•Poverty and Developmental IssuesPrelims_GS•Demographics and Social Sector
Mains Answer Angle
GS‑3/GS‑4: Discuss the effectiveness of the One Health framework and NOHM in enhancing India's pandemic preparedness, focusing on inter‑sectoral coordination, data integration and capacity building.