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, Dec. 17 — Adviser Farida Akhter stated on Wednesday that successful application of the ‘One Health’ strategy demands unified dedication from the top levels of the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Fisheries and Livestock.

One Health goes beyond being a topic for discussions. It requires genuine dedication, decisions at the policy level, and a shared attitude of collaboration. The time of isolated initiatives has ended; currently, a ‘whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-nation’ strategy is necessary,” she stated while leading a seminar named ‘One Health Activities: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Strategies’, held by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at a hotel in the city.

The advisor emphasized that human health, animal health, and the environment are closely linked, and only by combining these areas can One Health be truly realized.

She observed that although humans are affected by illnesses, they frequently contribute to their transmission. Contaminated food, environmental contamination, overuse of antibiotics, and unregulated city growth are escalating health dangers, which need to be tackled by emphasizing preventive and basic medical care.

Farida Akhter stated that climate change, genetic disorders, food safety, and public health concerns are strongly interconnected.

In this scenario, a choice has been made to carry out the suggested One Health program via a unified DPP that includes all three ministries, with three project managers to guarantee involvement from every sector.

Showing hope, she mentioned that Bangladesh would effectively carry out the One Health program by taking into account human health, animals, fishery, and the environment as a whole, providing a strong model for other regions.

Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated that development planning should center on the environment, biodiversity, and public health, emphasizing the importance of cohesive and future-oriented choices.

She mentioned that although roads or infrastructure can be constructed, natural resources like the Sundarbans or rivers cannot be restored once they are lost. Climate change, pandemics, and environmental disasters constantly remind us that every component of nature is closely linked, and humans are not masters of nature but rather an integral part of it.

The environmental consultant also highlighted that procedural difficulties, poor coordination between ministries, and slow decision-making processes are significant barriers to carrying out One Health initiatives. To address these issues, she emphasized the importance of establishing efficient advisory committees at both national and local levels, as well as designating clear contact persons within each ministry.

The Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Health and Family Welfare, Prof Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, stated that human health should stay central to the One Health approach.

He mentioned that the significance of fish, livestock, and environmental health ultimately stems from their effect on human health, food safety, and ways of life, as food pollution, harmful animal feed, and changes in the environment eventually influence individuals.

Calling the planned One Health project an ‘eye-opening’ effort for Bangladesh, the special assistant mentioned that its objective is to enhance the ability to identify health threats at an early stage and react promptly by examining humans, animals, and the environment from a unified perspective.