Pakistan advances One Health Workforce Development Project for pandemic readiness

ISLAMABAD: In a major step towards strengthening Pakistan’s health security, the Health Services Academy (HSA) hosted the One Health Workforce Development Project (OHWD) orientation meeting, bringing together key national stakeholders to address the interconnected health challenges impacting humans, animals, and the environment.

Government officials, policymakers, international health organizations, and experts convened to discuss a collaborative approach to combating zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and climate-driven health risks. The OHWD project aims to build a resilient and skilled workforce prepared to tackle these emerging threats.

Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, emphasized the importance of institutional partnerships and the One Health approach in ensuring national health security.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that no sector can work in isolation when facing public health threats. We need collaboration between health, veterinary, and environmental sectors to build resilience and preparedness,” he stated.

Dr. Bharath reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing early warning systems, and supporting cross-sectoral research. He urged universities, research institutions, and development partners to provide technical and financial assistance.

Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor of HSA, highlighted the Academy’s leading role in the initiative. He asserted:

“The One Health approach is no longer optional; it is a necessity for protecting public health and ensuring national security.”

Dr. Tariq Mahmood Ali, National Coordinator of OHWD, provided an in-depth overview of the project, stressing the need for cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen Pakistan’s workforce across human, veterinary, and environmental health sectors.

Support for the initiative was expressed by representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Dr. Muhammad Daoud Altaf, WHO Health Emergency Lead, emphasized early disease detection and pandemic preparedness, while Dr. Flourence Rolle, FAO Representative Pakistan, underscored the importance of animal health surveillance in preventing disease outbreaks.

Senior government officials, including Dr. Shabana Saleem, DG Health, and Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Mashood Ahmad, Special Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, reaffirmed their commitment to integrating One Health principles into national policies. MNA Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, noted the project’s alignment with Pakistan’s Vision 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting concluded with a unanimous call for coordinated action on key priorities:

• Integrating One Health principles into national health policies.
• Expanding training programs for health, veterinary, and environmental professionals.
• Strengthening disease surveillance and early warning systems.
• Enhancing research collaborations for data-driven policymaking.
• Improving pandemic preparedness through a trained, multi-disciplinary workforce.

The One Health Workforce Development Project promises to transform Pakistan’s health sector through sustained collaboration between government agencies, academia, and international organizations.