Needs for Establishment and Adoption of Regional One Health Approach for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Threats in the East African Community

Abstract

Introduction: One Health approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health, recognizing their intricate relationship. It is an important approach to address complex public health challenges such as zoonoses, anti-microbial resistance (AMR), food safety and security, the impact of climate change, biodiversity degradation and many other health challenges that require collaborative efforts. East African Community (EAC) is among the regions that face such challenges. Hence, there is a dire need to adopt the One Health approach to prevent and control many of the public health threats.

Aim and objectives: To develop and implement a comprehensive regional One Health approach for the East African Community (EAC) that enhances collaborative efforts in addressing public health threats through an integrated approach to human, animal, and environmental health. The objectives of the work were to assess and strengthen current One Health initiatives, to assess the status of One Health implementation in the region and to recommend the best approach to develop a Regional One Health Strategy that would enhance the sustainable One Health approach in the EAC.

Data Collection: Data was collected through consultations with sector representatives from the EAC Partner States, the EAC Secretariat, and the EAC Expert Working Group (EWG). Between October 2020 and May 2022, documents and reports from the EAC secretariat and Partner States were also extensively reviewed.

Findings: The EAC has been facing numerous public health threats due to several factors, including its geographical location, high population density and movements, limited access to healthcare, limited disease surveillance and control, etc. Although a formal regional One Health strategy was lacking during the time of the data collection exercise, key initiatives like contingency plans development, risk analysis and communication, development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as well as capacity-building efforts for various health risks had been carried out, all under the umbrella of One Health. Some EAC Partner States have developed national One Health strategies and created multi-sectoral platforms to address public health challenges. Including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the EAC region in April 2023 emphasized the need for a more comprehensive regional approach due to the DRC's vast tropical forests and history of infectious disease outbreaks.

Conclusion: Most public health threats do not recognize borders. Hence, there is a need to unify EAC Partner States’ efforts to effectively and efficiently address regionally evolving public health threats. This requires implementing a One Health approach, thereby emphasizing the significance of a regional One Health strategy. The unified approach will safeguard the well-being of human and animal health, the ecosystems in the region, and the socio-economy. Challenges may include securing adequate, sustainable resources, harmonizing efforts among Partner States, and aligning regulatory frameworks and resource capacities.