The Health Parliament and Brooke India have submitted a Draft Planetary Health Policy Framework to the Government of India, presenting a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen unified public health systems. The document was formally handed over to Ajay Kumar Sood by Rajendra Pratap Gupta, J. S. Dharamadheeran, and Manpreet Kaur, in the presence of senior officials from the PSA’s office.
Developed through a year-long consultation with over 30 experts spanning human health, veterinary sciences, environmental management, and public policy, the framework is positioned as a comprehensive blueprint to operationalise the One Health approach in India.
The initiative responds to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring outbreaks such as Nipah virus and avian influenza, which exposed gaps in fragmented health systems. With a significant share of infectious diseases originating in animals and rural livelihoods closely tied to livestock, the framework underscores the urgency of integrated, cross-sectoral action.
It proposes aligning ministries, strengthening surveillance systems, and linking environmental data with health responses to create a cohesive governance structure. The goal is to move beyond siloed approaches and establish a broader planetary health model.
Structured around twelve priority areas, the framework includes institutional integration, community awareness, early warning systems, workforce capacity building, and research in indigenous diagnostics and vaccines. It also emphasises antimicrobial resistance (AMR) containment through responsible antibiotic use across human and animal health sectors.
Additional focus areas include sustainable development, zoonotic outbreak preparedness, financing, technology innovation, trade, and public-private partnerships recognising the need for collaborative action.
Looking ahead to 2047, the roadmap envisions coordinated governance, AI-enabled disease surveillance, elimination of preventable zoonotic deaths, ecological balance, and empowered communities acting as first responders. Grounded in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the framework promotes a holistic approach that views human, animal, and environmental health as interconnected.
