Workshop on Integrated Disease

National

Workshop on Integrated Disease Surveillance held in Tawang

A Stakeholder-cum-Capacity Building Workshop on Integrated Disease Surveillance was successfully conducted on February 6, 2026, at the Auditorium of Khando Drowa Sangmo District Hospital, Tawang. The workshop was organised by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under a National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS)–funded project titled “Protecting Himalayan Health: Landscape-Based Disease Surveillance in Wildlife and Exploring Zoonotic Hotspots through One Health Approach.”

The programme aligned with the objectives of the National One Health Mission, emphasising integrated surveillance, early warning systems and coordinated action across human, animal, wildlife and environmental health sectors—particularly critical for high-altitude Himalayan districts such as Tawang.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the Departments of Health, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Forest Department, District Administration and research institutions, underscoring the importance of inter-sectoral convergence in regions witnessing intensifying human–livestock–wildlife interfaces due to environmental and climatic changes.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. Mukesh Thakur, Scientist-D, ZSI and Principal Investigator of the NMHS project, who highlighted that integrated disease surveillance is central to strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms in ecologically sensitive and border areas. He stressed the need to link human health surveillance, livestock disease monitoring, wildlife pathogen screening and environmental data for informed decision-making.

The inaugural session featured remarks by Dr. Tenzin Kunga, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Tawang. Special guests included Dr. Avang Tamin, District Veterinary Officer; Shri Piyush Gaikwad, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Tawang Forest Division; Dr. Rinchin Neema, DRCHO, Department of Health & Family Welfare; and Shri Rinchin Leta, APCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tawang, who highlighted the growing relevance of One Health–based surveillance in high-altitude and border regions.

Technical sessions focused on the National One Health framework, regional surveillance challenges, veterinary and public health perspectives, and data-sharing tools to strengthen district-level surveillance. The workshop concluded with discussions on sustaining inter-departmental collaboration and institutionalising One Health mechanisms. Certificates were distributed to participants during the closing session.