New Delhi: In a major step towards enhancing pandemic preparedness, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, launched the “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response” project. Funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund, this $25 million initiative aims to strengthen India’s animal health systems to mitigate the risk of zoonotic diseases.
The launch event was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Minister of States for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian, as Guests of Honour. Key officials such as Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Prof. Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, and Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Ministry, were also present.
In his address, Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasized the pivotal role of India’s livestock sector in economic and social development, noting significant growth over the past nine years due to initiatives like the National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP). “The Pandemic Fund will support these initiatives by strengthening disease surveillance, including genomic and environmental monitoring, improving lab infrastructure, fostering cross-border collaboration, and creating an integrated zoonotic disease management system,” he said. Through the NADCP, over 90.87 crore vaccinations for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and 4.23 crore for Brucellosis have been administered, and plans for FMD-free zones in nine states are underway.
During the event, Singh also released two essential documents to advance animal health management in India:
- Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG): This document offers comprehensive guidelines for veterinary care, intended to improve livestock health and productivity while supporting the national action plan for antimicrobial resistance.
- Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases: This framework equips policymakers, veterinarians, and field officials with protocols for rapid containment and management of animal disease outbreaks.
Both documents aim to provide structured responses to animal health emergencies, reinforcing disease management across India.
Highlighting a One Health approach, Singh underscored the importance of integrating human, animal, and environmental health efforts to mitigate zoonotic disease risks. “With many recent health crises originating from animal sources, this project emphasizes the importance of addressing zoonotic threats to safeguard both animal and human populations,” he added.
The project, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Bank, represents a coordinated push to bolster India’s pandemic defenses by advancing animal health security and establishing stronger surveillance and response mechanisms for zoonotic threats.