ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The experts at a gathering called for coordinated efforts to protect public health and ensuring the national security.
The Health Services Academy (HSA) arranged the One Health Workforce Development Project (OHWD) orientation meeting with national stakeholders to strengthen country’s health security.
The event brought together international health organizations and experts, government officials and policymakers to discuss the interconnected health challenges affecting humans, animals and the environment.
The OHWD aims to train a skilled workforce to combat zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health risks.
Coordinator to PM on Health
While stressing the critical role of the One Health approach in ensuring national health security, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharath called for stronger institutional partnerships to sustain the project’s impact.
He highlighted the growing threat of zoonotic diseases, AMR, and climate-driven health crises, emphasizing the need for a highly skilled and well-coordinated health workforce.
Dr. Bharath was of the view that the COVID-19 pandemic has suggested that no sector can work in isolation when facing public health threats as he underlined the need for collaboration between the health, veterinary, and environmental sectors to build resilience and preparedness.
He also underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing early warning systems, and supporting cross-sectoral research initiatives.
He urged research institutions, universities and public health agencies to actively contribute to the project. He also called on development partners to provide financial and technical assistance to sustain the initiative.
“This project marks the beginning of a national transformation in how we approach health security,” he concluded.
Vice Chancellor HSA Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan while highlighting HSA’s role in leading the initiative said that the One Health approach is no longer optional, rather, he said, it is a necessity for ensuring national security.
National Coordinator OHWD, HSA Dr. Tariq Mahmood Ali provided a comprehensive overview of the initiative, emphasizing the need for cross-sectoral collaboration to tackle emerging health risks.
“Pakistan must strengthen its workforce in veterinary, human and environmental health to prepare for future pandemics,” he suggested.
