The traditional approach to health has often focused on separate silos – human health, animal health, and ecosystem health. However, a growing movement recognizes the interconnectedness of these domains. This concept, known as One Health, emphasizes a collaborative approach to ensure the well-being of all. Investing in One Health initiatives offers a multitude of benefits, as evidenced by compelling cases from Kenya.

The Government of Kenya with FAO hosted a One Health Investment Dialogue which brought together over 50 representatives from government, the AU, private sector, civil society organizations, academia and development, members of the Quadripartite collaboration (FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH), partners together. The Dialogue presented five priority investment opportunities for One Health in agrifood systems transformation, spanning epidemio-surveillance, laboratory services, value chains, workforce capacity development, and technology and innovation. This approach is rooted in the One Health principle of an interdisciplinary strategy, where various stakeholders collaborate, communicate, and create synergies. Aspects of human, animal and ecosystem health systems may serve as weakest links, because as developments happens, and urbanization and agricultural production expands, so do health risks.

"The successful dialogue in Kenya is a perfect example of the power of collaboration in One Health. By bringing together government, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders, we were able to identify and prioritize key investment opportunities that benefit human, animal, and ecosystem health. This collaborative approach, coupled with strong leadership from the Kenyan government, paves the way for a more sustainable future for Kenya and a model for other countries to follow."  Said Charles Bebay, FAO Regional Manager.

One of the major challenges in implementing One Health is the fragmentation of health-related data. In Kenya, for instance, a lack of coordinated data collection system and sharing across sectors like public health, agriculture, and environment hinders effective disease surveillance, lab diagnostics and prevents sectoral workforce’ joint response. A One Health approach highlights multiple benefits including the importance of initiatives that supports clear data-sharing frameworks and technological solutions like real-time disease outbreak data capture tools.

Kenya's proposed solution focuses on building a comprehensive, unified One Health surveillance, lab and workforce network, using technologies and innovation. This collaborative effort leverages existing structures like the Zoonotic Disease Unit, other national platforms, and County One Health Units and other One Health stakeholders, (including CSOs and the private sector), and has the potential to significantly improve outbreak detection and response. Early identification of threats like rabies, brucellosis, and anthrax, right from the community level, allows for quicker containment measures, protecting public health and minimizing the burden on healthcare systems.

Another Kenyan investment case highlights the power of technology in One Health. A proposed investment in an Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, sensors, and blockchain technology. This not only enhances food safety by tracking animal products and identifying contamination sources along specific value chains, but also bolsters economic development. By meeting stringent traceability requirements, ANITRAC can open doors to international markets for Kenyan beef, fostering growth in the agricultural sector and can benefit sector such as dairy and food safety requirements. 

In his closing remarks, Dr Pius Mutuku, Division of Disease Surveillance at the Kenya Ministry of Health underlined, “One Health is a core competency in field epidemiology, forming a key part of the curriculum for county and national officers. Moving forward, we hope to create more synergies and increase collaborative investments, especially as these discussions have come at a critical and strategic time for the Republic of Kenya, including for its budget cycle.”

Next steps include further dialogue led by the Government of Kenya, supported by FAO, collaboration, leading on from discussions with development partners and potential investors. This includes the EU, USAID, Germany, the UK, International Development Banks and Private Sector representatives, some of whom expressed keen interest in particular investment cases matched to their own priorities.

The One Health Investment Dialogue is a critical piece in the jigsaw of One Health initiatives. By fostering sustainable financing for One Health opportunities that enhance collaboration, break down data silos, and leverage technology, such investments in Kenya can generate an average return of USD10 for per USD1 invested. 

Read more https://www.fao.org/one-health/en