Health Services Academy Trains 34 Frontline Workers on One Health Approach
Pakistan is strengthening its frontline defense against future pandemics. The Health Services Academy has trained 34 livestock and agrifood workers in Islamabad. The focus is on the “One Health” approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health.
Prof Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, VC of HSA, emphasized the importance of this strategy. He stated that pandemics frequently emerge at the human-animal-environment interface. Therefore, an integrated approach is essential for national security.
Outbreak response cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires seamless collaboration between human health, livestock, agriculture, and environmental sectors. This training is a direct step toward that goal.
A Collaborative Training Initiative
The two-day program was a joint effort by multiple organizations. HSA organized it with the Pak One Health Alliance and the National Agricultural Research Council. It was conducted under the “One Health Workforce Development towards Pandemic Readiness” project.
The project specifically strengthens the Livestock and Agrifood sectors of the Islamabad Capital Territory. Participants included veterinary officers, field assistants, and technical staff. These professionals are the first line of defense against zoonotic threats.
They are directly responsible for disease surveillance, vaccination, and reporting. The training equipped them with skills to detect and contain threats early. This prevents them from escalating into large-scale public health emergencies.
Why One Health Matters
Prof Dr Tariq Mahmood Ali provided crucial context. He noted that nearly 70 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. This makes the human-animal interface a critical surveillance point.
HSA has already trained over 100 professionals under this framework. This creates a resilient district-level workforce capable of early warning and rapid response. The trained workers are now spread across various sectors.
The comprehensive curriculum covered several key areas. These included epidemiology of infectious diseases and transmission fundamentals. Infection prevention and control were also major topics.
Participants learned about risk communication and Rapid Response Team functioning. Emergency planning and One Health surveillance were covered. Epidemic intelligence rounded out the practical curriculum.
A Commitment to Grassroots Protection
The program concluded with interactive group work and practical assessments. Experts from HSA and partner institutions reaffirmed a key message. Sustained investment in multi sectoral collaboration is the only way to safeguard Pakistan against future epidemics.
Consequently, the 34 newly trained professionals expressed their commitment. They will apply these integrated strategies at the grassroots level. Their work will directly protect public health in their communities.
This training represents a significant investment in Pakistan’s pandemic readiness. By strengthening the first line of defense, the country is better prepared for whatever comes next.
