The Tamilnadu Dept. of Health and Family Welfare will set up the ‘One Health and Climate Hub’ owing to the challenges faced due to the interconnectedness of human health, animal health and the environment.

Its proposed functions are:

• Formulating action plans to climate change associated health risks with a focus on vulnerable communities.

• Establishment of state-wide surveillance systems for monitoring data related to climate-sensitive diseases, subsequently developing Early Warning Signs (EWS).

• Facilitate coordination among the departments involved with the three components of One Health, along with forest and disaster management.

• Capacity building of the involved staff.

• Retrofitting climate-resilient systems like solar panels in healthcare facilities.

• Supporting research on climate events and outbreak using historical data.