One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI)
Our Background
We are dedicated to promoting and fostering One Health news, education, collaboration, advocacy, research and solutions across human, animal, and environmental health. At OHDI, our mission is rooted in the belief that public health issues are intertwined across the human, animal, and environmental ecosystems thereby requiring a holistic approach to effective and sustainable solutions.
Therefore, in implementing our various activities through social impact and health programs, media projects, advocacy, and research, the core values of “One Health” are consistently integrated to achieve sustainable results in health promotion and sustainable development.
In the current Strategic Period (2021 to 2025), we are implementing the revised OHDI Strategic Plan (2021 – 2025).
To inform the public, advocate in spaces, and implement solutions to correlated issues of human, animal, environmental, and ecosystem health through an integrated One Health approach
To be the foremost organization in Africa promoting education and collaborative solutions to public health and sustainable development through the One Health approach.
One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) started initially in February 2016 as a blog called ‘MyAnimal,MyHealth’ by Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore, a veterinarian and One Health professional.
The MyAnimal,MyHealth blog provided and promoted news and information on related topics of animal and public health. As the blog gained traction and publicity, the work expanded to taking up major health journalism projects that promoted investigated, reported, and promoted public education and advocacy on correlated issues of human and animal health.
Implementing programs that address the control and prevention of zoonoses of public health importance, including Neglected Zoonotic Diseases (NZDs) and emerging zoonoses.
Promoting knowledge and building the capacity of target stakeholders on good animal welfare practices, while improving their access to quality animal health services.
Advancing sustainable agricultural practices and innovative alternative protein approaches that will improve productivity, sustain the environment, improve health and livelihoods, and guarantee nutrition and food security.
Promoting public awareness of food safety practices, supporting relevant policy frameworks, and building the capacity of relevant stakeholders and professionals in maintaining food safety standards
Maintaining the health of land and aquatic environments through the promotion of sanitation, hygiene, good waste management practices, and promoting the recovery of polluted environments.
Promoting knowledge and appreciation of wildlife biodiversity and practical implementation of good conservation practices – particularly important for rural marginalized communities with highly biodiverse land and marine ecosystems.
Promoting public awareness and education on the rising public health threats of AMR and ensuring best practices are implemented by stakeholders in its control and prevention.
Conducting and promoting applied research to inform evidence-based solutions that would advance One Health outcomes and help us achieve our programmatic goals. This can be conducted internally within the organization or in collaboration with external stakeholders, institutions, and organizations.
Implementation of community-based projects that fall under our respective programmatic focus areas. We would ensure that projects are relevant, effective, and directly meet the core needs of the target communities.
Utilization of digital and traditional media tools to promote news, information, education, awareness, and advocacy on relevant and contending One Health issues.
Engaging policymakers and influencers at national and sub-national levels in advocacy for the establishment and implementation of relevant policy framework and laws that would achieve our respective programmatic goals and achieving One Health outcomes.
Utilization and integration of new and existing technology platforms that can facilitate the organization’s work in promoting relevant information and facilitating service delivery.
