‘One Health Bangladesh’ conference begins Sunday in Dhaka

The ninth conference of the ‘One Health Bangladesh’ will begin on Sunday bringing together scientists and researchers of both human and animal health and environment.

The two-day conference at a Dhaka hotel will also be attended by leading global experts, Coordinator of One Health Bangladesh Prof Dr Nitish C Debnath said at a press briefing on Thursday.

Chairperson of One Health Secretariat Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Director of the IEDCR, said the theme of the conference is ‘achieving SDGs through One Health Approach’.

This approach is being seen as the key tool to respond to emerging diseases such as avian influenza, anthrax, and chikungunya.

A disease threat anywhere is a threat everywhere in today’s globalised world when diseases are spreading faster than before due to international travel.

Most of the emerging diseases like the Ebola, MERS, avian influenza, and pandemic influenza spread from animals or birds.

So it calls for a concerted effort among the relevant departments to fight off a new disease, Prof Debnath said, explaining the One Health Approach.

To prevent anthrax in human, he said, cattle must be protected from the bacteria, which means both animal and human health departments must work together.

“It is a multi-sectoral approach in a coordinated way,” he said.

Prof Flora said it was a complete new concept in Bangladesh even in 2008.

“Now, a National One Health Strategic Framework and Action Plan are in place,” she said, about the achievements of this platform so far.

“We are getting benefits of that coordination in the management of any disease outbreak,” she said.

The conference will gather government officials, experts, and scientists of the health, environment and forest, and livestock ministries.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim will inaugurate the conference along with the state minister for livestock, and deputy minister for forest, and the secretaries to their ministries.

Emerging infectious diseases and zoonosis, food safety and food security, antimicrobial resistance and its containment, one health governance, advocacy and communication and policy, ecosystem health and conservation are the five thematic areas of the conference.

At least 45 scientific papers and 60 posters are set to be presented during the conference.