Dr. Rakesh Kakkar, Professor and Head of Community and Family Medicine at AIIMS Bathinda led a virtual session on the importance of a comprehensive environmental surveillance system to combat zoonotic diseases. He emphasized inter-sectoral collaboration, capacity building, and communication as key strategies to control the spread of diseases, including emerging infectious threats.
Dr Kakkar also discussed the health risks posed by heavy metals and air pollution, highlighting the need for early warning systems and flexible protocols. By integrating technology, governance, and capacity building, we can create a flexible system ready to tackle novel pathogens and health crises.