The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the One Health Approach as a strategic framework to tackle emerging and existing challenges in animal, human, and environmental health across the state.

Gov. Peter Mbah gave the assurance on Monday in Enugu during a two-day training session on Disease Monitoring and Investigation Using the One Health Risk Communication Approach and the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS) Implementation.

The training, organised by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) Coordination Centre in Enugu, was aimed at enhancing the capacity of One Health Officers in the state.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, the governor described the training as a vital step in improving disease surveillance, fostering multisectoral collaboration, and enhancing public health outcomes through the One Health Approach.

“The global rise in zoonotic diseases and public health threats shows clearly that we must break down the barriers between human, animal, and environmental health systems,” Mbah said.

He lauded the workshop theme as both “timely and strategic,” emphasising that the One Health framework provided a unified and collaborative solution to the complex health challenges facing modern societies.

The governor highlighted the essential role of veterinary officers, para-veterinary professionals, and community animal health workers as frontline defenders in protecting livestock, safeguarding rural livelihoods, and preventing potential public health crises.

He also commended the Federal Government, through the L-PRES Coordination Centre, for its continued support in strengthening the livestock sector.

“I urge all participants to make the most of this training, share knowledge, embrace new tools and strategies, and carry these lessons back to your communities,” he added.

Also speaking, Dr Ifeyinwa Nnajieze, the Enugu State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, said the training focused on the critical importance of integration and collaboration in tackling cross-cutting health issues.

“The One Health Approach recognises that human, animal, and environmental health is deeply interconnected.

“By working together, we can better understand and address complex health challenges,” Nnajieze said.

She noted that the training was designed to improve the ability of veterinary and community animal health workers to identify, monitor, and investigate potential disease outbreaks, and to reactivate state-level Occupational Health Technical Working Groups.

“I appreciate Gov. Mbah for supporting this initiative and thank all participants and technical partners for their dedication to shaping a healthier future for Enugu’s livestock sector,” she added.

Dr John Maiye, Team Lead of the National Technical Working Group on L-PRES, emphasised the urgency of adopting the One Health Approach, noting that “about 75 per cent of diseases affecting humans originate from animals.”

He said the approach fostered coordinated action across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to effectively address zoonotic diseases and improve public health outcomes.

“The One Health Approach calls for synergy between these sectors to ensure inclusive and sustainable health for both humans and animals,” Maiye said. (NAN)