In a landmark step towards securing public health, animal welfare, and environmental safety, India’s first-ever National Institute for One Health (NIOH) is under rapid construction in Nagpur. The institute promises to become the country’s nerve centre for tracking, monitoring, and preventing zoonotic diseases—those that can jump from animals to humans, like COVID-19, bird flu, and the Nipah virus.
A Unified Defence Against Emerging Epidemics
Designed to act as an early warning system, the NIOH will gather and analyse samples from across India to detect potential disease outbreaks before they spread widely among humans or animals. This integrated approach, also called ‘One Health’, recognises that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are deeply connected.
Dr. Pragya Yadav, Director of NIOH, said the institute will be India’s frontline shield against future pandemics, allowing early intervention and minimizing risk.
State-of-the-Art Safety and Global Collaboration
The institute will boast the country’s most advanced laboratories, including BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 high-safety labs, to safely research dangerous viruses and pathogens. These labs will support teams of doctors, veterinarians, scientists, and environmental experts working side-by-side.
NIOH will also stay in constant touch with global health watchdogs like the WHO, FAO, and OIE, ensuring that India is part of the world’s epidemic alert network.
Ready in Two Years—A Future-Ready Facility
According to Dr. Yadav, the facility is progressing at top speed and is expected to be fully operational within two years. Once completed, it will actively collaborate with various ministries such as Health, Animal Husbandry, and Environment to detect and respond to outbreaks that threaten public and ecological health.
What Makes NIOH Crucial?
Early detection of diseases before they become epidemics
Simultaneous monitoring of human, animal, and environmental health
Strong international coordination to prevent global disease spread
Support for India’s mission to be future-ready against pandemics
A New Era in India’s Epidemic Preparedness
This institute marks a bold and necessary move towards building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), where health security, scientific collaboration, and proactive disease management go hand-in-hand.
