Multidisciplinary approach and intersectoral coordination in health issues

A Symposium "Interdisciplinary Approach for Tuberculosis Control" at Hisar

The modern world has changed into a global village, the disease agents do not respect geographical borders, but unfortunately, the health issues concerning humans and animals remain largely compartmentalized and bordered. Though, public health and animal health issues generally overlap because a large number of infectious diseases of animal origin are transmissible to humans from animals or animal products; public health specialists and veterinary specialists mostly continue to work in complete isolation within their narrow domains. With the One Health initiative gaining momentum worldwide, the relationship between medical and veterinary sciences is, however, being increasingly recognized now.

It is also important to understand that health, though an individual’s possession, is not always in its own control. The environment has great influence on it. An individual cannot remain healthy in an unhealthy environment. However, despite the fact that microbiologists, immunologists, epidemiologists, biotechnologists, parasitologists, entomologists, biologists, wildlife specialists, chemists, pharmacologists, environmentalists, food scientists, nutritionists, engineers, technologists, health educators and many others contribute significantly in health risk mitigation, their role does not find due attention while health programmes are being planned. We should not forget that human, livestock, wildlife, and environmental health are integrally linked, so multidisciplinary approach and intersectoral coordination are absolutely essential to sort out the health issues.

Sudhi Ranjan Garg

Professor & Head

Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology,

College of Veterinary Sciences, Hisar-125004, India