ROME, September 25 — Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has called for greater global investment in animal health, disease surveillance and One Health systems, saying early action is essential to prevent future disease outbreaks from developing into pandemics.
Addressing a high-level meeting at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, the minister said stronger systems were needed to identify and contain emerging health threats before they escalate into wider crises.
The meeting, titled “FAO and the Pandemic Fund: Sustainable Solutions for Stronger Animal Health Systems and Prevention of Future Pandemics,” focused on strengthening global preparedness through animal health and integrated disease surveillance.
Rana Tanveer said Pakistan faces significant One Health challenges due to its large livestock population, close interaction between humans and animals, population movement and recurring climate-related events.
He said protecting animal health was essential not only for public health but also for food security and the economic well-being of rural communities.
Highlighting progress under the Pandemic Fund, the minister said Pakistan had received approximately $18.7 million, while another $4.1 million in co-financing and $49.7 million in co-investment had been mobilised.
The programme is being led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in close coordination with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Ministry of Climate Change.
The World Health Organization, FAO and Asian Development Bank are supporting implementation of the programme.
Rana Tanveer said significant progress had been achieved in less than 18 months, including the establishment of a National One Health Secretariat at the National Institutes of Health.
One Health units and coordination committees have also been established in five regions.
Veterinary Laboratory Network Being Strengthened
The minister said nearly three-quarters of work to strengthen Pakistan’s veterinary laboratory network had been completed.
Provincial veterinary laboratories have been assessed, upgrade plans finalised and guidelines issued for the collection and transportation of samples.
He also highlighted the inclusion of Pakistan’s first national poultry laboratory in an international standards-based testing programme as an important development.
Pakistan is also upgrading its electronic Animal Disease Reporting and Surveillance System, which has been endorsed by all provinces and regions.
The upgraded system is expected to improve livestock disease surveillance while bringing wildlife and aquatic animal health into the monitoring framework for the first time.
Rana Tanveer also highlighted the establishment of multisectoral rapid response teams and field epidemiology training at provincial and district levels.
The initiative is intended to enable experts working in human, animal and environmental health to jointly identify and respond to disease threats.
The minister said animal health should not be treated as a secondary issue in pandemic prevention, particularly in countries such as Pakistan.
He said timely investment in animal and environmental health could help reduce the human and economic losses caused by future pandemics.
Rana Tanveer said Pakistan was ready to share its experience of implementing the One Health approach across a large and complex federal system and wanted to deepen cooperation with FAO, the Pandemic Fund Secretariat and other member countries.
He also appreciated FAO’s technical expertise and field presence, while calling for sustained international cooperation and financing for pandemic prevention, preparedness and effective response.