The members of the Scientific Committee, the Working Groups and the Board of Directors of the newly established “Mediterranean One Health Innovation Centre (MED-OHC)” held their first-ever joint meeting via Teleconference on Wednesday, February 28.

During the extended meeting, the members of the Scientific Committee – which consists of personalities with great recognition and distinctions in their scientific field – presented their views and suggestions regarding the dissemination of the objectives of One Health, particularly focusing on the main priorities of the Mediterranean One Health Innovation Centre (MED-OHC).

The priorities briefly converge on increasing the level of preparedness, timely and comprehensive management of bio-security risks at regional, national and European level, research, innovation and at the same time raising public awareness.

“I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Scientific Committee, the Working Groups and the Board of Directors for this first extended meeting but also for their significant contribution and continued interest in achieving the objectives of the Mediterranean One Health Innovation Centre”, stated the Centre’s President, Eleni Pavlidou, veterinarian (DVM), with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

She added, “This first contact highlighted the importance of the project and particularly the significance and necessity of the One Health approach to Public Health, especially at the critical and crucial level of the Community’s proper and timely preparation for any future health threat.”

During the meeting, the need for the Mediterranean One Health Innovation Centre to become a reference center and coordinating body throughout the Mediterranean Basin, interconnecting Universities, state organizations, research centers, scientific organizations, bodies etc., both among themselves and with broader schemes that globally promote the scientific concept of One Health, was also underlined.

One Health is based on the assumption that human, animal and environmental health are interconnected and interdependent, as the health of one affects the health of all. “We envision and implement One Health as a collective global strategy to understand and manage our planet’s health risks and encourage a sustainable balance of the ecosystem,” stated Ms. Pavlidou.