What 'One Health' means for Bangladesh's health safety
At its core, the approach recognises that most emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic and that outbreaks are often influenced by environmental conditions.
The proposed One Health project outlines a shift from a human-centred health system to an integrated safety framework linking human, animal and environmental health.
At its core, the approach recognises that most emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic and that outbreaks are often influenced by environmental conditions.
Instead of responding only after illnesses spread among people, the system aims to detect risks at source – whether in livestock, wildlife, food systems or the environment.
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Under the plan, surveillance will be strengthened through a National Integrated One Health Surveillance and Early Warning System for real-time disease detection.
The target is to detect 70% of priority outbreaks within seven days and deliver 70% of laboratory results within three days.
Biosafety standards will also be tightened, with certification of most public laboratories.
Preparedness measures include setting up epidemiological units in 45 districts, forming 182 rapid response teams and improving critical care facilities in selected medical college hospitals.
Animal health measures, such as expanded rabies vaccination and establishing disease-free zones, are also part of the strategy.
The framework covers governance, laboratory capacity, workforce development, antimicrobial resistance control and food safety.
By linking these sectors under a single coordinated structure, the One Health approach seeks to move from fragmented responses to a system designed to prevent, detect and contain health threats before they escalate into national emergencies.
