Kerala’s Health Department is expanding its vital ‘One Health’ initiative to all districts, empowering local communities through trained volunteers to monitor diseases effectively.
Health Minister Veena George announced on Monday (October 3) that comprehensive guidelines for this Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) system, a core part of the One Health program, have now been officially released.
This new surveillance system will be managed at the local self-government level, placing the responsibility squarely on individual local bodies to champion public health in their areas.
Following a successful pilot phase in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, and Kottayam, where 251 out of 266 local governing councils committed to the program, the Health Department received the official documentation. Now, the proven ‘One Health’ model, currently active in these four districts, is ready for a statewide rollout.
The philosophy behind ‘One Health’ is simple yet profound: it acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being. By actively monitoring disease trends at the local level through trained community volunteers, this surveillance system allows for early detection of infectious diseases. This proactive approach is crucial for preventing widespread outbreaks and mitigating their impact, all thanks to robust local participation.
At its heart, CBS functions as a community-driven network. It thrives on the dedication of trained volunteers, operating under the guidance of local self-government institutions, district administrations, and the Health Department. The true power and efficacy of this system lie in widespread community involvement and ownership.
These volunteers will undergo comprehensive training to continuously observe and report any unusual health-related events concerning humans, animals, or the environment. This vital information empowers authorities to implement timely preventive measures and significantly bolster disease control efforts.
Initially, in the four pilot districts, the Health Department successfully selected, trained, and deployed seven community mentors and 49 community volunteers per ward or division. With the expansion to other districts, each ward will benefit from the active presence of 10 to 15 dedicated community volunteers.
Health Minister Ms. George emphasized that all training sessions will utilize a standardized toolkit with clear operational guidelines, and strict adherence to these instructions is mandatory for all participating local self-government bodies.