South Sudan formulizes One Health Multi Sectoral Coordination Mechanism to address zoonotic diseases and other public health threats

Honorable Dr Martin Elia Lomoro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs launched the first ever One Health Mechanism (WHO)

To reduce the risk and mitigate the impact of future emergence of zoonotic, vector-borne and non-communicable diseases, South Sudan has operationalized and launched its One Health Multi Sectoral Coordination Mechanism.

The first ever One Health Mechanism was launched in Juba by Honorable Dr Martin Elia Lomoro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs alongside his counterparts from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment with participation of other stakeholders.

The establishment of the One Health platform will foster the multisectoral coordination, administrative and technical collaboration among animal, human and environmental health sectors to address potential zoonotic diseases and other one health threats.

In his remarks on the importance of One Health approach for better health outcome of both human and animal health, Dr Lomoro said “the establishment of the One Health platform will enhance the implementation of the South Sudan National Action Plan for Health Security”.

“The implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security through the One Health Multisectoral Coordination Mechanism will safeguard and ensure an improved health for our people, our livestock, wildlife, and environment”, said Dr Lomoro.

Dr Lomoro assured the Government’s commitment to improving the health of the people of South Sudan and led the signing of the declaration of commitment for One Health Multisectoral Coordination Mechanism in the Republic of South Sudan.

Honorable Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, the Minister for Health said effective coordination and management of zoonoses will reduce vulnerability of people from health emergencies and improve better health and well-being.

The One Health concept entails the interdependence between the human, animal and the health of the ecosystems in which they exist.

Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Representative a.i. for South Sudan said “the Multisectoral Coordination Mechanism is a critical step in our collective efforts that will help the effective and efficient use of resources to ensure that interventions are tailored to improve health outcomes across the country”.

With the generous contribution of the World Bank, the World Health Organization in partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organization and other partners is providing support to the establishment of the One Health Mechanism. WHO remains committed to working with all government ministries, development partners, donors and other stakeholders to have the biggest impact on improving the health of the people, animals and environment in the country

The South Sudan One Health Multi Sectoral Coordination Mechanism will consolidate cooperation between the relevant government Ministries including the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and other line ministries, departments and agencies to address the wide range of activities related to One Health concept, within the human-animal-environment interface.

The governing framework shall be led by a Steering committee, which is the highest governing body chaired by the Office of the Minister for Cabinet Affairs. A management secretariat will be coordinated by the Ministry of Health and a technical committee will support the implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security through thematic technical working groups reflective of national and subnational levels.

During the three- day meeting, the One Health stakeholders agreed on the strategic approaches, implementation framework, key interventions and resources required for the implementation of One Health Approach.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – South Sudan.