Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC), is the institution established to strengthen the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programmes. The institution is further dedicated to programs and strategies including the One Health approach to effectively control and prevent zoonotic diseases.
On 26th October, 2020, the organization published the Framework for One Health Practice in National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs). According to excerpts from the informative document, “The purpose of this framework is to provide a set of minimal objectives, proposed activities and focused guidance that NPHIs and Ministries of Health (MoHs) should adopt in order to address priority zoonotic diseases. It further highlights how One Health approaches strengthen collaboration between relevant sectors to control these shared health threats”.
The Framework has been confirmed to align with the Africa CDC’s Strategic Plan (2017–2021) and its focus on NPHIs.
By adopting the recommendations of this document, NPHIs in the 55 member countries of the African Union are expected to implement the following as stated;
- Support and collaborate with key stakeholders across all relevant sectors to strengthen One Health
coordination, collaboration, and communication; - Develop and strengthen surveillance systems and data-sharing mechanisms with all relevant stakeholders;
- Strengthen laboratory systems and networks to ensure early detection, surveillance, and response to priority
zoonotic diseases using a One Health approach; - Ensure effective and coordinated public health emergency preparedness and response using a One
Health approach; - Strengthen and support workforce development using a One Health approach to prevent and control priority
zoonotic diseases.
The organization also commits to supporting the implementation of this framework in target public health institutions in all 55 African Union Member States.
Click here to download a free copy of the Framework for One Health Practice
