Mbah administration pledges sustained action on zoonotic disease surveillance and health security
The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the “One Health Approach” in addressing current and emerging animal, human, and environmental health challenges across the state.
Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah gave the assurance on Monday in Enugu during the flag-off of a two-day capacity-building workshop titled “Disease Monitoring and Investigation Using the One Health Risk Communication Approach and National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS) Implementation.”
The training, organized by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) Coordination Center, Enugu State, targets One Health Officers and other frontline personnel in the state’s health and agriculture sectors.
Workshop Marks Strategic Step in Public Health Collaboration
Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, the governor described the workshop as a key milestone in the administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance intersectoral collaboration.
“This training marks an important step in our mission to strengthen animal, human, and environmental health services. It will significantly improve disease surveillance and promote multisectoral collaboration through the One Health Approach,” he stated.
Governor Mbah noted that the workshop’s theme was not only timely but also strategically aligned with global health priorities.
“The rise in zoonotic diseases and global public health threats clearly shows that we must break down the barriers between human, animal, and environmental health systems,” he said. “The One Health framework provides a unified and collaborative solution to these complex challenges.”
He emphasized the role of veterinary officers, para-veterinary professionals, and community animal health workers as critical defenders at the frontline of health security.
“Your ability to detect, report, and respond to animal health threats not only safeguards livestock and livelihoods but also prevents wider public health crises,” Mbah added.
He also commended the Federal Government and the L-PRES Coordination Center for their continued support in strengthening the livestock sector and promoting health system resilience.
L-PRES Coordinator Highlights Training Objectives
Dr. Ifeyinwa Nnajieze, Enugu State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, explained that the training aims to emphasize collaboration and integration in tackling cross-cutting health issues.
“The One Health Approach recognizes that human health, animal health, and environmental health are intricately linked. By working together, we can better understand and address complex health challenges,” she said.
Nnajieze explained that the training is designed to enhance the capacity of health workers to identify, monitor, and investigate potential disease outbreaks, particularly zoonotic diseases. She stressed the need for strengthening coordination among veterinary officers, para-vets, and community-level health workers.
The initiative will also focus on reviving the Occupational Health Technical Working Groups at the state level, which facilitate coordination across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
“This training will expose participants to their core responsibilities under the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS 01),” she added.
Nnajieze also expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah for approving the training and reaffirmed the state’s dedication to building a healthier, more resilient livestock sector through the One Health framework.
National TWG Reaffirms Urgency of One Health Strategy
In his address, Dr. John Maiye, Team Lead of the National Technical Working Group on L-PRES, stressed the urgent need for adopting a unified health response.
“About 75 per cent of diseases that affect human health originate from animals. This highlights the necessity of the One Health Approach,” he said.
He described the model as a holistic, coordinated strategy that promotes joint action between human, animal, and environmental health sectors to tackle zoonotic diseases effectively.
“The One Health Approach encourages continuous interaction and collaboration across all health sectors to eradicate zoonotic infections and ensure inclusive health outcomes,” Maiye concluded.
