The operationalization of the One Health approach represents a critical shift from conceptual recognition to coordinated action across human, animal, and environmental health systems. Increasingly, scientific evidence shows that many health threats originate at the intersection of humans, animals, and the environment.

Zoonotic diseases such as Ebola, avian influenza, Nipah virus, and COVID‑19 demonstrate how rapidly pathogens can spread across borders in an interconnected world. In this context, the One Health approach promoting collaboration among human health, animal health, and environmental sectors has gained global recognition as an essential framework for preventing and responding to infectious disease threats. By institutionalizing multisectoral collaboration, integrated surveillance, and joint risk assessment, One Health enables earlier detection of emerging pathogens and more effective prevention of zoonotic disease spillover. The establishment of the Pandemic Fund, a global financing mechanism, further strengthens this effort by supporting countries in building resilient systems for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

The Infectious Disease Context

More than 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin, meaning they are transmitted between animals and humans¹. Factors such as climate change, rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and intensified livestock production are increasing the likelihood of disease emergence at the human–animal–ecosystem interface. Recent global health crises have demonstrated that fragmented responses across sectors can delay detection and weaken response capacity. Consequently, the One Health approach has become central to strengthening global health security.

Recognizing this need, international bodies have emphasized integrated surveillance, joint risk assessment, and coordinated responses as key components of effective disease prevention. The Pandemic Fund, launched by the World Bank and global partners, complements these efforts by providing financing to strengthen surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, and the health workforce in low‑ and middle‑income countries².

Strengthening operational linkages among ministries of health, agriculture, environment, and research institutions enhances the ability of countries to respond rapidly to complex health threats driven by climate change, ecological disruption, and global mobility. Ultimately, translating One Health from policy into practice is essential for building resilient health systems capable of preventing future pandemics and safeguarding global health security.

Operationalizing One Health in Pakistan

Pakistan, due to its geographic location, ecological diversity, and high cross‑border mobility, faces complex, significant risks from emerging and re‑emerging infectious diseases³. Climate variability, changing rainfall patterns, and environmental pressures contribute to outbreaks of vector‑borne and zoonotic diseases such as dengue, Crimean‑Congo hemorrhagic fever, and rabies. Strengthening integrated surveillance and multisectoral coordination is therefore essential to protect both national and regional health security.

Pakistan was awarded Pandemic Fund grant in the second call of proposal in later 2024 to strengthen the country’s One Health coordination. Through support from the Pandemic Fund, Pakistan is working to operationalize One Health principles by strengthening collaboration among key sectors, including the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the Ministry of Climate Change, and national public health institutions. Development partners such as WHO, FAO, and ABD are supporting these efforts as implementing entities as per Pandemic Fund grant structure.

Key areas of implementation include:

1. Strengthening One Health coordination through the establishment of National-Provincial One Health units and secretariats, and adopting best practices 
2. Integrated Disease Surveillance across the human and animal sector in all of the country’s 170 districts, along with incorporating wildlife and fisheries into the Animal Disease Reporting and Surveillance system, and establishing multisectoral provincial- and district-level teams for outbreak response. Pakistan is strengthening its disease surveillance architecture by expanding and promoting data sharing across sectors. Event‑based surveillance, early warning systems, and improved monitoring at Points of Entry are being enhanced to enable timely detection of cross‑border health threats.
3. Laboratory Capacity Strengthening for the national laboratory network by establishing one Biosafety Level II laboratory in each province, introducing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and implementing external quality assessments at provincial and federal levels. The existing National Reference Laboratories (Human and Veterinary), and the National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases will be upgraded.
4. Developing a Multisectoral Health Workforce through a focus on strengthening workforce capacity to detect and respond to health emergencies. Activities include training outbreak investigation teams, expanding the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) and FETP for veterinarians, and extending training to wildlife and environmental professionals under the One Health approach. Simulation exercises will be conducted to improve emergency response skills, while laboratory staff will receive training in biosafety, biosecurity, diagnostics, and quality management.
5. Community Engagement for Early Detection, to promote community participation in early detection and response. Engagement will be strengthened through community focal points, civil society organizations, livestock farmer groups, and school-based programs to improve awareness, reporting of unusual health events, and community-based surveillance. Engaging communities and promoting preventive behaviors are critical components of outbreak prevention and control.

Public Health Implications

Operationalizing One Health through the Pandemic Fund has important implications for strengthening national health systems. Integrated surveillance and multisectoral coordination enable earlier detection of outbreaks, more effective risk assessment, and faster response mechanisms. By addressing health threats at their source, whether in animals, environmental conditions, or human populations, countries can reduce the likelihood of large‑scale epidemics.

Moreover, strengthening pandemic preparedness contributes to broader development goals. Investments in surveillance systems, laboratory networks, and workforce capacity support resilient health systems capable of responding not only to pandemics but also to endemic diseases and climate‑related health risks.

Pakistan’s Roadmap for Pandemic Preparedness: Building Resilient Health Systems for the Future

Pakistan is working to enhance its capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging health threats by advancing a coordinated One Health approach across sectors through support from the Pandemic Fund. Looking ahead, the Pandemic Fund project provides Pakistan with an important opportunity to institutionalize One Health coordination mechanisms, modernize surveillance systems, and strengthen preparedness for future pandemics. By investing in surveillance, laboratory capacity, workforce development, and community-based detection, Pakistan aims to build a resilient health security framework capable of addressing emerging zoonotic and climate-sensitive health threats, while contributing to broader regional and global health security efforts.

The Way Forward

As global health threats continue to evolve, sustained collaboration among governments, scientific institutions, and international partners will remain essential. For Pakistan, operationalizing One Health through the Pandemic Fund represents an important step toward building stronger systems for pandemic preparedness and response. Continued investment in integrated surveillance, laboratory capacity, and workforce development will help ensure that emerging threats are detected early and managed effectively.

Strengthening health security is a shared global responsibility. By advancing One Health collaboration and investing in resilient public health systems, countries can reduce the risks of future pandemics and protect the health and well‑being of communities worldwide.

Written by ISID Emerging Leader, Nadia Noreen