The government has established Forest Health Centers not only at the village, block, district, and state levels but also at the regional level. A regional center, formed by combining four to five states, will be in direct contact with the Center for Forest Health located in Delhi. Decisions regarding various training programs, resources, and the appointment of staff can be made through these centers.
The Center for Forest Health in Delhi will oversee the health of humans, animals, and the environment simultaneously. Its headquarters, situated in the premises of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in New Delhi, will monitor health surveillance from every village to the block and district levels across the country. It will collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the UN Environment, and the US FDA department.
Equipped with various technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), this center will issue alerts within a day of detecting any suspicious virus or person. For instance, if a person or animal with specific infection or unusual symptoms is found in a village or city, the district administration will be informed. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has shared this entire micro-plan, emphasizing that the government has developed a monitoring system at the village, block, district, state, and regional levels, including four to five states.
The Center for Forest Health has initiated studies on rabies, snakebites, and infectious diseases. The goal is to achieve 100% freedom from rabies by 2030. Moreover, a network has been established connecting all major hospitals in each state for handling snakebite cases.
Dr. Simmi Tiwari, Joint Director and Chief of the Center for Forest Health, highlights the global realization during the COVID pandemic of the need to focus on the health of humans, animals, and the environment. She mentions that Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of Forest Health at the G-20 summit, and India has rapidly advanced in this field. The center will play a crucial role in preventing the spread of future pandemics and infections.
