The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) has called for a multi-sectoral approach among stakeholders in addressing public health challenges that affect the environment, animal health, and human beings in Chisamba district.
Acting Principal Environment Research Officer Wisdom Moola says stakeholders must participate in addressing public health challenges through the One Health Approach Technical Working Group (1HATWG).
The Principal Environment Research Officer was speaking in an interview with the media shortly after an orientation meeting with various stakeholders at the council hall in Chisamba today.
Mr Moola said this is in line with the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) Act Number 19 of 2020, which calls for stakeholder collaboration in addressing public health occurrences.
“This one health approach’s main purpose is to ensure that different departments as they are doing their mandate, data is shared within institutions so that there is early warning system that is put in place,” Mr Moola said
He disclosed that the 1HATWG plays an important role in alerting members of the public about emerging and re-emerging diseases such as anthrax.
During a presentation, MGEE Meteorologist Thomas Maunda said some of the objectives of the one health approach were to coordinate multi-sectoral responses to public health emergencies and to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the strategic plans at the district level.
“The objectives of the district one health approach, is to coordinate implementation of activities at the district level, to serve as liaison between districts and provincial secretariat,” Mr Maunda said.
Earlier, Chisamba District Health Director Given Chapa said the ZNPHI in collaboration with her ministry and other line ministries were currently streamlining a one health approach to address public health challenges.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health have been voted as Chairperson and secretariat respectively to lead the 1HATWG which has just been formed in Chisamba district.
