Investing in Animal Health – One Health – Joint Policy Brief of Brooke Pakistan
Investing in Animal Health to Support One Health in Pakistan; Joint Policy Brief launched by Brooke Pakistan. This policy was about the gap in the veterinary framework and the importance of veterinary services and the veterinary profession in Pakistan. The policy suggested improving the capacity building of the veterinary force and improving the veterinary education in Pakistan.
ویٹرنری ایجوکیشن کے معیار کو کیسے بہتر کیا جائے؟ ویٹرنری تعلیمی اداروں کا مشاورتی اجلاس
چیف ویٹرنری آفیسر کون؟ معمہ حل، اینیمل ہیلتھ ایکٹ اور پنجاب میں قانونی حیثیت
Brooke Pakistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, jointly launched a policy brief on Investing in Animal Health to Support One Health in Pakistan. This policy brief is in the backdrop of a research study done by the Brooke and Action for Animal Health (A4AH).
Government Prioritizes Animal Health and Welfare
Rumina Khurshid Alam, SAPM, said at the ceremony held, “Improvement in animal health and welfare is among the top priorities of the government”. Appreciating the launch of this policy, she said, “it will help the government in effective policy making and setting up programs”. She assured support for the way forward to implement the recommendations of the policy brief on behalf of the ministry.
Brooke Pakistan Stresses Importance of Animal Health for Development and One Health
Dr. Javed Gondal, Program Manager of Brooke Pakistan said, “We are happy to work with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research on this policy”. “Improving animal health and welfare is sustainable in Pakistan. It is essential for development and poverty reduction. We believe that the recommendations in the Action for Animal Health Policy Brief can play an important role in achieving these goals,” he added.
Animal Husbandry Commissioner Pakistan Dr. Muhammad Akram emphasized the importance of working in the animal health sector and said that the public health sector of Pakistan could not be strengthened without paying attention to this sector.
Global Experts Warn About Underinvestment in Animal Health and One Health
Dr. Klara Saville, coalition member and Head of Global Animal Health, Welfare, Community Development, and Research at Brooke, said, “An estimated 60% of known infectious diseases and up to 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases come from animals, yet underinvestment in the animal health sector has led to shortages in the veterinary workforce, medicines and vaccines, and gaps in disease surveillance.”
Brooke’s A4AH campaign coordinator, Ellie Peravani, highlighted the importance of One Health in the context of global pandemics and climate change. She said that by working in the animal health sector, not only human health could be protected, but human welfare and employment security can also be ensured.
Recommendations by Brooke Pakistan for One Health
Brooke Advocacy Manager Naeem Abbas highlighted the key points and recommendations of the policy brief.
Research Shows Pakistan’s Animal Health Sector is Underfunded
According to this study, Pakistan’s animal health sector is underfunded and is a weak sector. To deal with global health threats to humans and animals, it is necessary to strengthen the animal health sector. The Corona epidemic has highlighted the relationship between human, animal, and environmental health. To deal with global health threats, these three sectors have to be given equal importance.
The research further states that investment in the animal health sector is not only necessary for the health of humans and animals but also important in the country’s economy. 8 million rural families of Pakistan are related to this sector and they earn their income, 35-40 percent of it is obtained from livestock.
Shortage of Veterinarians and Need for Better Surveillance
Research has shown that there is an average of one veterinarian per 100,000 animals in Pakistan due to a lack of funding for animal health. The study added that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) was established to regulate the manufacture, import, export, storage, distribution, and sale of human and animal drugs and vaccines, but there were deficiencies in the monitoring system. Animal Diseases surveillance system should also be focused.
Strengthening Veterinary Services and Legislation
In light of recent research, experts have recommended that Pakistan needs to strengthen animal health services including veterinary education, veterinary manpower, disease surveillance, quality and control of vaccines and drugs to combat global health threats. Along with the provision of funds, there will be a focus on preparing an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework.
Similarly, the importance of mutual sharing of data among relevant stakeholders has also been emphasized under One Health. More communities are recommended to be involved in animal welfare, disease prevention, surveillance and control initiatives. Experts urged to invest in animal health to avoid the next pandemic.
About Action for Animal Health (A4AH) and One Health
It should be noted that Action for Animal Health (A4AH) is a global coalition of members and supporters working with governments, donors and implementing agencies to ensure the One Health concept for sustainable development under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
پاکستان اینیمل ہیلتھ، ویلفیئر اینڈ ویٹرنری پبلک ہیلتھ بِل (مسودہ) بارے مشاورتی اجلاس
ون ہیلتھ کے تناظر میں ریبیز کے خاتمے بارے کتاب کی اشاعت
