October 16, 2024 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), has convened a workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to discuss the development of a regional framework for enhancing and promoting the implementation of the One Health strategy among the participating countries of the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRR) Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) program.
The primary objective of the three-day workshop is to initiate discussions, exchange ideas, share experiences, identify challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration in developing a regional framework for effectively implementing One Health approaches at regional, national, and cross-border levels.
Speaking on behalf of H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Ato Abebaw Bihonegn, the Head of Mission to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, highlighted IGAD’s commitment to implementing the One Health approach through the HEPRR-MPA program in East and Southern Africa. He emphasised that IGAD is committed to providing the necessary support and capacity to advance this agenda.
Ato Abebaw explained that the One Health approach is an integrated method for addressing health threats at the animal-human-environment interface and is essential for strengthening health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. He added, “We all need to realise that working alone will not provide us with the capability and sustainability to prevent, detect, and respond to future pandemics, outbreaks, or endemics.”
In his opening remarks, Dr. Melkamu Abte, Deputy Director General of the Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Directorate at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, emphasised the need for a unifying strategy that enables cross-country and regional collaboration to address emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and environmental degradation. “With particular emphasis on our partnership with IGAD, I remain confident that your steadfast leadership will ensure continued regional cooperation and knowledge exchange on cross-border health issues,” he stressed.
Dr. Mohamed A. Mohamed, Senior Public Health and Medical Epidemiologist Specialist at ECSA-HC, acknowledged the importance of the workshop as a platform for sharing experiences and challenges in public health emergency management and exploring opportunities for collaboration…
He highlighted the significance of involving key stakeholders in the One Health approach and expressed gratitude to IGAD for prioritising and organising the consultative workshop.
“I’d like to start off expressing our honors to be hosting this initial meeting here in Ethiopia.
And would also like to take this opportunity to earnestly thank the IGAD team for prioritising and organising this consultative workshop ,” stated Dr Mohamed added.
On behalf of Hon. Veronica Nduva, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Dr. David Balikowa, EAC Senior Livestock Officer, appreciated IGAD for inviting the EAC Secretariat to participate in the meeting and the World Bank for funding the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience Programme. He noted the high prevalence of public health emergencies in the EAC region, which requires strong multi-sectoral coordination for effective response. Dr. Balikowa also pointed out the need for improved coordination mechanisms and financing arrangements for One Health initiatives at the regional and national levels.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Ministries of Health, Animal Health, and Environment from HEPRR-MPA project countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Malawi, and Zambia, as well as representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Africa CDC, and other partner organisations. The budget for the consultative workshop was financed by the World Bank.
During the workshop, participants identified regional priorities and key areas of focus, including strengthened networks and partnerships among One Health stakeholders, and developed a roadmap outlining next steps, timelines, and responsibilities for the framework’s development. The meeting concluded with recommendations for the development of a framework to enhance and promote the implementation of the One Health strategy among the HEPRR-MPA program participating countries.
The AFE Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRR) is a regional project aimed at strengthening health system resilience and multi-sectoral preparedness and response to health emergencies in Eastern and Southern Africa. The project is implemented in phases, starting with Ethiopia, Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda, Kenya, São Tomé and Príncipe, the ECSA-HC, and IGAD.
