DODA: To observe World Zoonoses Day 2024, the District Surveillance Unit IDSP, under the aegis of District Health Society Doda, organized a debate cum awareness program on the transmission, control, and prevention of zoonosis – the vector borne diseases here at the Make Shift Campus of Government Medical College.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the program in the presence of Chief Medical Officer Dr Om Kumar; Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Dr Mayen ud Din; EO MC Amit Sharma; Chief Accounts Officer GMC, Mohd Iqbal Ganai; BMO Ghat, Dr Ab Gafoor; BMO Assar, Dr Shabir Dar; Dr Walied Khawar Balwan, Ranger Wildlife Kishtwar; Bansi Lal Bhandari, Mohd Shafi Attu, Principal ANMT Doda, Anusuya Bhan, Sr Journalist Naseer Khora, and Adv Sanjeev Rana.
The program was attended by Medical Officers from across all health blocks, paramedical nursing students institutions across the district. District Epidemiologist, Umar Anayat, welcomed the guests and informed participants that World Zoonoses Day, observed on July 6th each year, aims to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases and their impact on human and animal health. He emphasized the importance of educating people about the risks associated with zoonotic diseases and promoting preventive measures.
Guest speakers, including Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Dr Mayen ud Din, Executive Officer Municipal Council, Amit Sharma, and Dr Walied Khawar from Community Medicine GMC, highlighted the significant public health implications of zoonotic diseases. They explained how these diseases, originating in animals, can be transmitted to humans through various means such as direct contact, consumption of contaminated food or water, or exposure to vectors like mosquitoes and ticks. CMO Dr Om Kumar underscored the importance of this day in promoting a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
The event also featured a debate competition attended by eight paramedical students from different nursing colleges, who were awarded certificates of participation and mementos. Judges for the competition included Dr Ab Gafoor, Dr Sarwar Khan, and Anusuya Bhan, with Mashhood Latief compiling the result score sheet. World Zoonoses Day honors French scientist Louis Pasteur, who invented the first vaccine, with this year’s theme being ‘Preventing the Spread of Zoonotic Diseases.’