A noteworthy financial boost of $25 million from the G20 Pandemic Fund has been directed towards India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, signifying a pivotal step in enhancing the country’s animal health infrastructure. This funding endeavor aligns with the comprehensive One Health strategy, an essential facet in the battle against pandemics, accentuated by the current global health crisis.
In a significant realization, a substantial majority of the international health emergencies designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in recent times have sprung from animal origins. This underscored the gravity of addressing animal health as a cornerstone in both pandemic preparedness and response.
Guided by the leadership of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, the Pandemic Fund has approved a proposal presented by India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD). Titled “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response,” this proposal secures the $25 million grant.
The fund’s focal dedication to enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, with a special focus on low- and middle-income nations, has garnered substantial interest and proposals. The governing board of the fund has endorsed 19 grants in its initial round of funding, empowering the fortification of pandemic resilience in 37 countries across six regions, emblematic of a significant stride towards global pandemic mitigation.
The approved grant is expressly designated for an array of strategic interventions designed to reinforce India’s animal health infrastructure for heightened pandemic readiness and response. These interventions encompass:
- Strengthening and integrating disease surveillance systems for timely outbreak detection and response.
- Expanding and modernizing the laboratory network to amplify diagnostic capabilities and testing facilities.
- Enhancing data systems that facilitate seamless information exchange, fostering efficient risk analysis and communication.
- Cultivating expertise in data analytics for robust risk assessment and effective risk communication.
- Bolstering health security measures to tackle cross-border animal diseases, consolidating India’s regional cooperation via transboundary collaboration.
The implementation of this pivotal project will be executed collaboratively, spearheaded by the Asian Development Bank and supported by The World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These partnerships are poised to infuse expertise, resources, and global networks into amplifying the project’s influence.
The envisaged impact of this initiative is manifold. By diminishing the likelihood of pathogen transmission from animals—both domesticated and wildlife—to humans, the project aims to safeguard the health, nutritional well-being, and livelihoods of vulnerable populations. Beyond its immediate effects, the grant is anticipated to catalyze additional resources dedicated to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Furthermore, it is set to stimulate heightened investments in this critical domain, foster enhanced coordination among stakeholders, and emerge as an influential advocacy platform.