The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organized a One Health Communication Strategy Workshop in New Delhi under the Pandemic Fund-supported project titled “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response” on 20th June 2025. The workshop marked a significant step towards 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.

Bringing together stakeholders from government agencies, international organizations, academia, research institutions, and the media, the workshop served as a platform to initiate the development of a strategic, science-based, and people-centric communication roadmap. Discussions focused on raising public awareness of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and biosecurity with particular emphasis on audience-specific messaging and grassroots engagement.

Animal Husbandry Commissioner (AHC) Dr. Abhijit Mitra, emphasized the importance of a clear and cohesive communication strategy in achieving the goals of the Pandemic Fund project. He highlighted that effective communication is not just an outreach tool, but a critical enabler of behavior change, inter-sectoral coordination, and risk mitigation. He stated, “We must use simple, locally understood language to ensure that messages truly reach and resonate with communities. Delivering the right message to the right audience at the right time is key to creating meaningful impact.”

Dr. Konda Chavva, Assistant FAO Representative in India, underscored communication as a core pillar of the One Health approach. “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 said.

A key highlight of the workshop was a media panel discussion featuring senior editors and journalists from BBC News, ET Edge, and Down to Earth magazine. The session explored how the media can amplify One Health messaging, counter misinformation, and build public trust through transparent, science-informed storytelling. The workshop also emphasized 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 institutionalize 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.

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.

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Aditi Agrawal

(Release ID: 2138225)