Experts highlight the role of media in addressing One Health issues in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, July 13, 2024 (FBC) – Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) in partnership with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) organized a “Science Communication and Media Café” in participation of journalists, experts and stakeholders.

The Science Communication and Media Café aims was organized an aim to highlight the role of the media in addressing One Health challenges in Ethiopia and Africa at large.

In her remarks at the event, Dr. Margaret Karembu, Director of ISAAA stated that the media has an essential role in increasing public awareness on the issues of One Health related areas.

She also urged journalists who took part in the media café to promoting the essence of One Health and its benefits in bringing about positive changes in communities.

Dr. Margaret Karembu also highlighted the significance of the event in creating linkages between journalists and One Health experts in sharing research findings with the society thereby supporting the efforts to improve the health of people and animals, and wildlife.

Dr Mirgissa Kaba, In his welcoming remarks at the event, Coordinator of COHESA Project at AAU, Dr. Mirgissa Kaba, said that experts working with the initiative are exerting collaborative and research based efforts to help tackle emerging and re-emerging health threats from, among others, pandemics and antimicrobial resistance.

COHESA project is currently promoting interdisciplinary collaborative activities among stakeholders in the health, education, agriculture and environmental protection spheres, Dr. Mirgissa added.

Dr. Mirgissa Kaba underscored the need to build capacity of journalists who are interested in scientific issues in order to enhance their role in promoting the One Health approach in the Ethiopian public health sector.

Director of the One Health National Secretariat at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Dr. Feyissa Regassa, stated on the occasion that the enactment of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute Establishment Regulation No. 529/2023 by the Council of Ministers last year can be taken as an important step towards institutionalizing One Health.

One Health National Secretariat is established under the custodian of EPHI with the engagement of stakeholders from relevant ministerial institutions and partners, Dr. Feyissa indicated.

Given outbreak of global pandemics, Ethiopia already established an Ad-hoc National One Health Steering Committee (NOHSC) in 2017, he pointed out.

The National One Health Steering Committee has also been established and the formation of the One Health Inter-Ministerial taskforce is on the right track, Dr Feyissa added.

Dr. Feyissa disclosed that the Secretariat has prepared a One Health Communication Strategy to help raise the public awareness on such a health matter.

He further called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders including the media and One Health experts for better results in the sector.

The Science Communication and Media Café concluded with establishment of Ethiopian One Health Media Professionals Network.