THE University of the Philippines-Los Baños launched its mobile laboratory as part of the 1HEALTH Program of the School of Environmental Science and Management.

The initiative aims to boost innovation, accessibility, and emergency response capabilities, particularly in areas requiring urgent attention.

“1HEALTH stands for One Human-Environment-Animal Linkage for Total Health which supports ongoing control and surveillance programs for the holistic and sustainable management of African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, and Antimicrobial Resistance,” the school said.

During the launch, SESAM dean Dr. Rico Ancog said that 1HEALTH is one of only two ACIAR-IDRC-funded projects in the Philippines, both based at SESAM.

Dr. Nathaniel Bantayan, vice chancellor for research and extension, shared his optimism in a message he delivered on behalf of Chancellor Jose V. Camacho.

“Through rigorous research, data-driven insights, and evidence-based policy recommendations, the 1HEALTH project seeks to fortify the foundations of our national surveillance and control programs,” Bantayan said.

He also called for collaborations across sectors to “more effectively detect, prevent, and manage outbreaks, thereby safeguarding food supply, protect population’s health, and preserve the environment for future generations.”

UPLB said the mobile laboratory was made possible through the research program “Country Research Update and Policy Support to the Philippines’ National Surveillance and Control Programs for African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, and Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health Systems Approach to Food Animal Security, Public Health Resiliency, and Environment Sustainability.”

The project received funding from ACIAR-IDRC, a partnership between the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and Canada’s International Development Research Centre, through the UPLB Foundation, Inc.