Namibia launches Tripartite One Health National Strategy 2024 – 2028
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joined various stakeholders in launching Namibia’s Tripartite One Health National Strategy 2024–2028. This strategic initiative signifies the country’s commitment to addressing health threats shared between animals, humans, and the environment, with a strong focus on agricultural health.
Developed in partnership with the Ministries of Health and Social Services, Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, along with the University of Namibia, FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the strategy aims to establish a sustainable One Health Approach across all sectors in Namibia.
Highlighting the significance of the One Health approach, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), Carl Schlettwein stated, "The COVID-19 pandemic, a human public health crisis resulting from a virus of potential animal origin, demonstrated the validity of the One Health concept in addressing and confronting national and global health risks,” said Schlettwein.
Schlettwein highlighted that the One Health concept aims to promote collaboration and communication across different sectors to address health hazards that develop at the intersection of these areas, such as the transmission of vector-borne diseases to animals and humans.
In the same vein, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, underscored that the One Health approach is vital for Namibia, where zoonotic diseases and the impacts of climate change pose significant threats.
"In the Namibian context, the need for the One Health approach is evidenced by the frequently reported outbreaks of zoonotic disease, coupled with the effects of climate change," said Shangula.
FAO's involvement is particularly relevant given the organization's commitment to addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) within the agricultural sector. AMR in food and agriculture poses risks to food systems, livelihoods and economies. Beside their direct negative impact on animals, animal diseases can also affect significantly food production, food security and farmer livelihoods. AMR increases these risks.
The use of antimicrobials in agriculture contributes to the spread of AMR and undermines the effectiveness of veterinary medicines. Making sure these treatments remain effective and available to the agriculture sector is critical. Additionally, drug-resistant infections in humans have also been tracked to foodborne or animal sources.
The Tripartite One Health Strategic Plan envisions a nation promoting healthy ecosystems to minimize the risks and impacts of emerging and re-emerging health threats at the human, animal, plant, and environment interface. Its main goal is to establish and institutionalize a sustainable One Health Approach across all sectors in Namibia, starting at the community level.
Representing the United Nations quadripartite on the One Health Approach, WHO Country Representative Dr. Richard Banda expressed appreciation for Namibia's efforts.
"Actions being taken in Namibia to enhance the One Health activities in the country as per national framework and the International Health Regulations 2005 indicate Namibia’s dedication to strengthen the country’s capacity to prepare for, detect, and respond to public health emergencies and threats," said Dr. Banda.
Dr. Yewande Alimi, One Health Unit Lead at Africa CDC, reaffirmed Africa CDC’s commitment toward strengthening national One Health capacities across the continent.
"We applaud the strong political commitment by the Ministers of Health and Social Services, Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and Agriculture, Water and Land Reform as they launched this national strategy to strengthen One Health in Namibia," said Dr. Alimi.
Dr. Shangula informed attendees that the implementation of the Tripartite One Health National Strategy will be reviewed annually by the One Health Multisectoral Coordinating Committee. Its activities will be integrated into existing strategies such as the National Action Plan for Health Security, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Event-Based Surveillance, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Veterinary and Wildlife disease control interventions.