VATIS UPDATE Article

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for cooperation in the area of zoonoses, anti-microbial resistance, nutrition and pesticide residues. This MoU is expected to strengthen the ties between the two organisations and energise environment of mutual cooperation and collaboration.

“In line with the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this MoU gives us an opportunity to work beyond the silos we have created. We have been working very closely with the agriculture sector. There is paucity of data regarding occurrence of zoonotic diseases, their modes of transmission to humans, sensitive and specific clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools. Suitable strategies to prevent them would be of utmost important especially in India,” said J P Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare.

Zoonoses have been defined as diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. The effects of zoonoses are accentuated among marginalised groups since the poor tend to have closer interactions with animals and are further removed from accessible health services. With the second largest human population and one of the world’s greatest densities of livestock, coupled with socio-cultural characteristics particular to Indian populace present a challenge in itself.