India is pushing for locally rooted communication strategies to enhance pandemic readiness under its One Health framework. The Centre, alongside FAO, emphasized simple, community-driven messaging to bridge gaps in disease surveillance. Experts highlighted communication as key to translating policies into actionable health measures. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination between animal, human, and environmental health sectors.
June 23, 2025
People-centric, local communication key for disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness: Centre
"Communication is the
critical bridge between knowledge and behaviour, between policy and
practice." – Dr. Konda Chavva, FAO
It is important to develop
people-centric and locally rooted communication to boost disease surveillance
and pandemic preparedness in the country, said the Ministry of Fisheries,
Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Key Points
1
One Health workshop focuses on local messaging for disease surveillance
2
India aims to strengthen animal-human-environment health coordination
3
Pandemic Fund project prioritizes inclusive public engagement
4
FAO backs strategic communication for risk mitigation
In
a bid to boost the pandemic preparedness in the country, the Department of
Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Animal Husbandry Ministry in
collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN,
organised a One Health Communication Strategy Workshop in New Delhi.
The workshop stressed the need
for building a coordinated and impactful communication framework to support
India’s efforts in strengthening animal health systems and pandemic
preparedness through the One Health approach.
"India remains committed to
advancing the One Health agenda by strengthening disease surveillance,
enhancing frontline capacities, and promoting inclusive public engagement
through strategic and coordinated communication," the Ministry said.
Animal Husbandry Commissioner
(AHC) Dr. Abhijit Mitra, emphasised the importance of a clear and cohesive
communication strategy in achieving the goals of the Pandemic Fund project.
“We must use simple, locally
understood language to ensure that messages truly reach and resonate with
communities," Mitra said.
"Delivering the right
message to the right audience at the right time is key to creating meaningful
impact," he added.
Mitra highlighted that effective
communication is not just an outreach tool, but a critical enabler of behaviour
change, inter-sectoral coordination, and risk mitigation.
Communication is a core pillar of
the One Health approach, said Dr. Konda Chavva, Assistant FAO Representative in
India.
“Communication is the critical
bridge between knowledge and behaviour, between policy and practice. It is what
ensures that the work we do translates into action and impact on the ground,”
he noted.
The workshop also emphasised the
importance of the One Health Strategy Document, currently under development.
This national framework will
guide collaborative action across animal, human, and environmental health
sectors, aiming to institutionalise a sustainable and resilient health security
ecosystem in India.
Participants engaged in technical
sessions and group exercises on message design, risk communication, and
cross-sector coordination.
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