Launch of Africa CDC Framework for One Health Practice in National Public Health Institutes
10/26/2020
This framework was developed through an interactive, consultative process with African Union (AU) Member States, experts in One Health and zoonotic diseases, international organizations and other Africa CDC partners. An initial Technical Working Group (TWG) was convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to oversee the development of the initial draft and subsequent revisions. The TWG included experts from Africa CDC, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), Chatham House and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). To inform the framework development, the TWG reviewed published One Health plans and reports developed by Member States and synthesized common themes, as well as referencing available One Health global guidance. The resulting framework is the product of extensive work by the TWG, whose role and dedication in its creation is deeply appreciated.
In addition to the identification and control of shared health threats, strategies incorporating a One Health approach can also lead to more sustainable and cost-effective programme implementation where resources and responsibility are shared across all relevant stakeholders.Despite the known benefits and progress that has been made over the past decade, institutionalization and operationalization of One Health can be challenging, including breaking down established professional and programmatic silos that currently exist within government and non-governmental agencies and institutions. Differences in resource allocation between human, animal and environmental health programmes, as well as disparities in education and training in the various fields and disciplines, exacerbate the ability of these sectors to coordinate effectively. Additionally, when sectors attempt to implement One Health prevention and control strategies for a single disease or across programmes, efforts may not be well integrated between sectors due to lack of effective coordination, appropriate budgeting, and/or availability of best practices to inform programme design and implementation.11, 12
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