From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Enugu State Government said it will continue to strengthen “One Health Approach” to deal with existing and emerging animal health, human health and environmental health challenges confronting the state.Governor Peter Mbah gave the assurance on Monday in Enugu at two-day training on Disease Monitoring and Investigation Using the One Health Risk Communication Approach and the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS) Implementation.

The training, which is being organised by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) Coordination Center, Enugu State, was meant for One Health Officers in Enugu State.Represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, the governor said that the training marked an important step in the ongoing efforts of the government to strengthen animal, human and environmental health services.According to him, the training will also improve disease surveillance, and enhance multisectoral collaboration through the “One Health Approach”.”The theme of this workshop: Disease Monitoring and Investigation using One Health Risk Communication and Implementation Approach and the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) is both timely and strategic.”The global rise in zoonotic diseases and public health threats has shown us clearly that we must break down the barriers between humans, animals and environmental health systems.”The One Health Approach framework offers a unified and collaborative solution to these complex challenges.”Veterinary officers, para-veterinary professionals, and community animal health workers are vital frontline defenders in this system.”Your ability to detect, report and respond to animal health threats not only protects livestock and rural livelihoods but also plays a critical role in preventing larger public health crises to both animals and humans,” he said.Mbah also commended the Federal Government through L-PRES Coordination Center for its continued commitment to building capacity and strengthening the livestock sector.”I thank the facilitators, technical partners and participants for your dedication to this cause. I urge participants to make the most of this training; share experiences, embrace the tools and strategies being offered, and take knowledge back to communities”.Enugu State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr Ifeyinwa Nnajieze said that the training would focus on the critical importance of collaboration and integration in addressing health challenges that transcend human, animal and environmental domains.Nnajieze noted that the “One Health Approach” recognised that human health, animal health and environmental health are intricately linked, adding that by working together, “we can better understand and address complex health issues.””The training is to enhance the collaborative capacity of veterinary officers, para-veterinarians, community animal health and husbandry workers in identifying, monitoring and investigating potential disease outbreaks in animals, with a focus on interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.”Nnajieze noted that the training would revive state level Occupational Health technical working groups that cut across the tripartite; and expose participants to their basic requirements and responsibilities as clearly contained in the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS 01).”I appreciate Gov. Mbah for approving the training. I thank the participants for their contributions and state government dedication to the “One Health Approach” in shaping a healthier future for Enugu State Livestock sector,” she said.Team Lead of National Technical Working Group on L-PRES, Dr John Maiye, noted that the “One Health Approach” had become necessary as “about 75 per cent of diseases that affect human health are from animals.”Maiye said that the approach focuses on a holistic and coordinated treatment of health issues both in animal and human through human health, animal health and environmental health sectors.”The One Health Approach calls for an interface between human health, animal health and environmental health officers to eradicate zoonotic diseases, which affects animal and human population; thus, promoting inclusive and general health,” he said.