“Recognizing the importance of the One Health approach is just the beginning; it is essential to actively incorporate veterinarians’ perspectives into broader discussions and strategic initiatives aimed at fortifying health systems globally. Veterinarians bring a wealth of knowledge in managing not only the health of animals but also in understanding the intricate ways in which animal and human health intersect.”

– Dr Peterkin Nzomo, IWG Guest Contributor

I wrote this piece in direct response to a striking observation during last year’s International Working Group for Health Systems Strengthening (IWG) Youth Day panel discussion. It struck me that not a single panelist represented the veterinary field, nor did any possess hands-on experience in veterinary practice. Regrettably, this omission is not an isolated incident; rather, it’s symptomatic of a broader, pervasive trend within health systems organizations worldwide. Veterinarians’ insights are consistently sidelined in public health conversations, a concerning pattern given our current need to embrace a ‘One Health’ approach for strengthening health systems. This blog serves as a clarion call to global health institutions, organizations, and movements: It’s time to prioritize and integrate a One Health Approach, which recognizes and values the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. 

Six in ten infectious diseases that affect humans are transmitted from animals. Furthermore, 70% of emerging or reemerging infections are vector-bone or zoonotic. The zoonotic pathogens have a global distribution in all human-inhabited settings, rural and urban. The Word Health Organization (WHO) defines one health approach as an integrated approach that focuses on sustainably balancing and optimizing human, animal and ecosystem health. Previously, the need for a one health approach was highlighted by recent outbreaks, namely the 2005 H5/N1 avian influenza outbreak, the 2009 H1/N1 influenza pandemic, dubbed ‘swine flu,’ and the 2013-2016 West African Ebola outbreak. The recent COVID-19 pandemic exposed the implications of zoonotic infections and the need to foster a multidisciplinary approach towards one health.

It is paramount to reunite the capacities and forces of all key stakeholders and entities to avoid unpreparedness towards new emerging zoonotic diseases. Pooling knowledge obtained through monitoring epidemiological patterns in previous studies from different disciplines is an effective approach to anticipating and instigating prophylactic mechanisms toward future epidemics and pandemics. This approach places veterinarians at the core of public health as framed in the One Health Concept.

Despite integrating World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), formerly OIE and WHO under the One Health concept, its implementation remains underdeveloped. It is concerning that despite previous pandemics and their implications, most governments remain adamant and unconvinced to recognize the importance of veterinarians in tackling zoonotic diseases. Veterinarians have extensive experience managing animal diseases and have successfully repulsed disease outbreaks such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, rabies, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and anthrax. 

Some of these diseases fall within the neglected tropical diseases and continue to cause health havoc to over 1 billion people, and others, such as FMD, though not zoonotic, have insurmountable implications following livestock losses and loss of livelihoods that consequently affect the quality of life, threatens food security, and predisposes human populations to malnutrition following protein deficiencies. 

Recognizing the importance of the One Health approach is just the beginning; it’s essential to actively incorporate veterinarians’ perspectives into broader discussions and strategic initiatives aimed at fortifying health systems globally. Veterinarians bring a wealth of knowledge in managing not only the health of animals but also in understanding the intricate ways in which animal and human health intersect. Their expertise is invaluable in tracking zoonotic diseases and can provide early warnings of potential outbreaks. By engaging veterinarians in health system planning and decision-making processes, we can ensure that their insights contribute to more resilient and comprehensive health strategies. This involvement is especially crucial as the world continues to grapple with the consequences of pandemics and the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. Ultimately, integrating veterinary expertise will enhance our capability to design health systems that are prepared to respond to the challenges at the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health.

The stewardship of our planet’s fauna and flora is not just a means to safeguard human health; it is a moral imperative that stands on its own. The intrinsic value of animals and the environment forms the bedrock of our earthly coexistence. It’s a rich tapestry that includes every creature, each unique ecosystem, and the vast biodiversity that does not merely serve us, but exists with us. By protecting animals and their habitats, we honor the balance of nature of which we are just a part. This commitment extends beyond the pragmatism of preventing disease. It speaks to a deeper recognition of the rights of all living beings to exist and to thrive. Conservation efforts, habitat protection, and the promotion of biodiversity are not optional extras in our environmental policies; they are fundamental duties that we owe to the countless species that share this planet with us. 

In this vital dialogue, we must address the crucial omission of veterinary expertise in public health strategy—a gap that diminishes our preparedness against zoonotic threats. This blog reaffirms that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is not only interlinked but also equally vital. Advocating for the One Health approach, it calls for an urgent integration of veterinary knowledge into health systems, recognizing the profound contributions veterinarians can make in tracking and managing disease. More so, it asserts that our environmental responsibilities extend beyond self-preservation to an ethical obligation to protect biodiversity and honor the intrinsic value of all living beings. As we acknowledge this interconnectedness, let us commit to a health narrative that includes veterinarians, champions biodiversity, and upholds the delicate balance of our natural world, ensuring the wellbeing of all species on our shared planet.

Written by: Peterkin Nzomo

Edited by: Bettina Buabeng-Baidoo