ECHO – ONE HEALTH: Bridging Human, Animal and Environmental Wellness” held at EEI, Hyderabad on 30th June 2025

The Extension Education Institute (EEI), Hyderabad, organized a thought-provoking and insightful webinar titled “ECHO – ONE HEALTH: Bridging Human, Animal and Environmental Wellness” on 30th June 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The webinar aimed to promote the integrated concept of “One Health,” emphasizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health and its critical role in preventing future pandemics and addressing emerging health challenges such as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The programme began with a warm welcome by Dr. M. Preethi, Professor, EEI, who highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in today’s complex health landscape. This was followed by an overview of the webinar by Dr. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director, EEI, Hyderabad, who emphasized the institute's commitment to fostering awareness and capacity building on contemporary issues affecting agriculture, health, and environment. The first technical session featured an impactful talk by renowned Environmentalist, Academician, and Development Activist Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy, on the topic: “Wildlife, Human Health & Ecosystem Integrity: Strategies for Preventing the Next Pandemic.” Prof. Reddy stressed the significance of maintaining ecological balance and conserving biodiversity as a frontline strategy in mitigating zoonotic disease outbreaks. He urged policymakers and institutions to recognize environmental health as a cornerstone of public health and advocated for proactive ecosystem-based prevention strategies. The second session was delivered by Dr. A. Vijaya Kumar, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, who spoke on: “Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health Challenge Across Sectors.” Dr. Vijaya Kumar highlighted the alarming rise of AMR due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics in both human and veterinary sectors. He emphasized the need for surveillance, policy coherence, and behavior change at all levels, especially among farmers and livestock handlers, to reduce irrational antimicrobial use. The webinar also included discussion by the participants showcasing their practical perspectives and field-level experiences on One Health challenges. The interactive session sparked meaningful dialogue and cross-sectoral understanding among attendees. In his concluding remarks, D. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director EEI said that ‘Today's webinar has reaffirmed the urgent need to adopt the One Health approach as a collective responsibility across human, animal, and environmental domains. Let us move forward with renewed commitment to collaboration, awareness, and action for a healthier and more resilient future’. He further mentioned that a 3.0 webinar on One Health would be conducted soon in a panel discussion mode including various stake holders. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. M. Preethi, who acknowledged the valuable contributions of the speakers, the support of the Director EEI, and the active participation of attendees. She reiterated EEI’s ongoing efforts to foster awareness, dialogue, and capacity-building initiatives on critical interdisciplinary themes like One Health. The webinar was well-attended by 48 participants which included faculty members, veterinary officers, health professionals, agriculture and allied sector officials, researchers, and development practitioners across southern India, marking another impactful knowledge-sharing initiative by EEI, Hyderabad.