One Health Initiative crucial for tackling infectious diseases at human, animal, environment interface 

Addis Ababa, March 15, 2023 (FBC) –  Senior experts from Addis Ababa University and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute called for collective efforts to properly implement the One Health initiative for tackling infectious diseases at human, animal and environment interface.

Addressing the two day Capacitating One Health in East and South Africa (COHESA) workshop, representing the Public Health School of Addis Ababa University, Dr. Mirgissa Kaba, stressed the need for proper implementation of One Health Program in order to reduce risks of health hazards at the human-animal-plant-environment interface.

Dr. Mirgissa noted that the world has realized the fact that underlying health problems are directly related to the interaction between humans, animals and the environment, calling for coordinated activities to combat the challenges.

One Health Approach recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment including ecosystems are closely linked and interdependent.

Saying that Ethiopia had established a National One Health Steering Committee (NOHSC) in 2017 comprising four ministerial institutions, Dr. Mirgissa called on the government and stakeholders to give due emphasis to the sector.

The Quadripartite of the Ministry of health, Ministry of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Authority and the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority signed MoU the same year, he indicated, citing this as a milestone to surface the One Health approaches and principles in Ethiopia. 

He insisted that more stakeholders such as the development sectors, research institutes and the academia must be engaged in the One Health national program to achieve better results in a more coordinated manner.

Dr. Mirgissa appreciated the significance of COHESA workshop in bringing together multiple stakeholders towards better implementation of the One Health initiative.

Chairperson of the Ethiopian National One Health Steering Committee and Head of the International Health Regulations at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Dr. Feyissa Regassa said that Ethiopia has been implementing a five year One Health strategic plan involving participation of multiple stakeholders.

The One Health Approach has enabled Ethiopia to address serious public health matters such as anthrax and rabies through strong campaigns undertaken throughout the country.

Saying that the coronavirus pandemic and other infectious diseases like monkeypox are still at the pandemic level at global level, Dr. Feyissa highlighted the need to bring multiple stakeholders together under the umbrella of the One Health national initiative to alleviate risks of infectious diseases at human, animal and environment preface.

Dr. Feyissa praised the contribution of projects such as COHESA in supporting the efforts of the government to achieve the goals of the One Health programme.

COHESA is operating in 11 African countries including Ethiopia where Addis Ababa University is coordinating the initiative to capacitate the One Health approach in the country.

One Health is a broader concept that brings different stakeholders and disciplines together, he said, stressing the need to improve understanding among communities to solve the underlying health problems in a holistic manner.

By: Wondesen Aregahegn