One Health and Climate Hub Initiative in Tamil Nadu

Syllabus: Prelims Unit I - General Science

Establishment and Purpose

• Tamil Nadu Government issued an order to establish the "One Health and Climate Hub" under the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
• Focuses on addressing interlinked challenges of human, animal, and environmental health due to climate change.
• Aligns with WHO’s One Health approach, which integrates health for people, animals, and ecosystems.

Key Challenges

• Zoonotic diseases.
• Vector-borne illnesses.
• Antimicrobial resistance.
• Biodiversity loss.
• Climate change impacts:
• Rising temperatures.
• Coastal vulnerabilities.

Objectives

• Develop integrated strategies for managing climate-related health risks.
• Strengthen surveillance and research on climate-sensitive diseases.
• Foster inter-sectoral collaboration across departments (Health, Animal Husbandry, Environment, Disaster Management).
• Build capacity in applying the One Health approach.
• Promote sustainable and green healthcare infrastructure.
• Encourage innovation and communication related to One Health.
• Address antimicrobial resistance.
• Map health impacts and diseases linked to climate change.
• Establish a state-of-the-art One Health and Climate Change Centre.

Key Functions

• Formulate policies and action plans.
• Set up robust surveillance systems across the state.
• Develop early warning mechanisms.
• Conduct training programs and workshops.
• Retrofit hospitals with climate-resilient measures.
• Perform comprehensive studies on health-climate linkages.
• Use AI to create predictive models.
• Develop and update state-level databases on climate-sensitive diseases.
• Disseminate findings to stakeholders.
• Create data management systems at district and state levels.

Administrative Structure

• Chairperson: Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department.

Members:

• PD TNHSP.
• MD NHM.
• DPH, DME, and DMS.
• Secretariat supported by specialized consultants.

Significance

• First initiative in India for integrated health and climate strategies.
• Enhances Tamil Nadu’s readiness for climate-induced health challenges.
• Promotes sustainable and equitable development.
• Aligns with the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH).