Chennai Hosts Two-Day Conference on One Health Approach to Tackle Zoonotic Diseases
A two-day conference and table-top simulation exercise on 'One Health: Integrating Health Security and Biosecurity' began in Chennai on Thursday. The event is organised by the Deccan Centre for International Relations (DCIR), in collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and LEAD at IFMR/KREA University.
The conference serves as a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue among policymakers, scientists, public health experts, biosecurity specialists, veterinarians, and academics. It aims to strengthen India's National One Health Mission by promoting integrated approaches to zoonotic disease control, antimicrobial resistance, environmental surveillance, and biosecurity as a non-traditional security threat.
Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, participated as Chief Guest. T.S. Tirumurti, former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and Chair of the Steering Committee, DCIR; Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF; and Sharon Buteau, Executive Director, LEAD at IFMR/KREA, spoke during the inaugural session.
The event features four thematic sessions: 'One Health: Biology, Technology and Future Innovations'; 'Governance, Global Lessons and International Cooperation'; 'One Health: Foundation of National Health and Biosecurity'; and 'Biosecurity, Dual-Use Research, and Laboratory Networks'. Several notable speakers shared their views during these sessions. Yvan J.-F. Hutin, World Health Organization Representative to India, delivered the valedictory address.
