For the first time in Pakistan, the health, animal health, and environmental departments have joined forces to prevent deadly diseases and epidemics through a coordinated national effort. The One Health Workforce Development Project took center stage, aiming to build a trained workforce of health, veterinary, and environmental experts to enhance Pakistan’s ability to combat zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health risks.

A consultative meeting on the project was held yesterday under the Health Services Academy (HSA), bringing together senior government officials, policymakers, international health organizations, and experts to discuss the challenges linked to human, animal, and environmental health. The primary objective of the One Health Workforce Development Project is to train a skilled workforce capable of addressing health threats related to zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change.

Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bhurt, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Health, emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic proved no single sector can tackle public health challenges alone. He stressed the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health institutions. He further highlighted the need to strengthen disease surveillance systems, increase research efforts, and secure technical and financial support from development partners. “Our goal is not just to treat diseases but to establish a robust system that prevents outbreaks before they occur,” he stated.