Maintaining World Balance with One Health One Welfare

By: AWI Team

Dr. Karanvir Kukreja, BVSc, MVPHM, Head of Campaigns Southeast Asia Companion Animals at FOUR PAWS International, was one of the keynote speakers at the Animal Welfare Indonesia-International Conference 2023.

In his memorable presentation, Dr. Karanvir Kukreja highlighted the importance of the One Health and One Welfare approaches. 

These concepts integrate human, animal, and environmental health, offering a comprehensive perspective on maintaining balance on Earth.

Tackling Global Challenges with the One Health Concept

According to Dr. Karanvir, One Health is a multidisciplinary approach aimed at achieving optimal health for humans, animals, and the environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how diseases can transfer from animals to humans. Over 70% of infectious diseases originate from animals.

The One Health approach enables medical professionals, veterinarians, and environmental experts to collaborate more effectively to prevent new disease outbreaks and safeguard ecosystem sustainability.

One Welfare: Promoting Holistic Well-Being

Beyond health, Dr. Karanvir also emphasized the One Welfare concept, which focuses on holistic well-being for humans, animals, and the environment.

He explained that in Southeast Asia, the practice of trading dog and cat meat poses significant risks, not only to human health through rabies exposure but also by causing immense animal suffering and impacting the mental well-being of communities.

According to Dr. Karanvir, ensuring animal welfare contributes to social health, fosters a better environment, and raises empathy awareness.

Combating Antimicrobial Resistance Through Collaboration

Dr. Karanvir also addressed the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which arises from the excessive use of antibiotics in the livestock sector.

Read Also : The role of Veterinarians in Improving Animal Welfare in Indonesia

As the phenomenon of superbugs becomes increasingly difficult to manage, he emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration among veterinarians, medical professionals, and governments to combat this global health threat.

Toward an Integrated, Healthy Future

In closing, Dr. Karanvir invited conference participants to unite in implementing the One Health and One Welfare concepts as a foundation for creating a healthy and sustainable future.

By integrating human, animal, and environmental health, we can collectively create a more harmonious, balanced, and compassionate world.

Read Also : One Health, One Welfare

This inspiring presentation not only shed light on future challenges and solutions but also encouraged us to contribute to maintaining the ecosystem’s balance and the well-being of all living beings on Earth.

Dr. Karanvir Kukreja’s presentation file can be downloaded via the link below. Watch the full presentation on the Animal Welfare Indonesia YouTube Channel.

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