COVID-19: an opportunity to re-evaluate the implementation of a One Health approach to tackling emerging infections in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries

Abstract

Background One Health (OH) has resurfaced in the light of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. It has been accepted by many local and global health authorities as a suitable approach for preventing and responding to infectious disease outbreaks including pandemics. Main body One Health (OH) is a multisectoral and interdisciplinary framework for managing the animal, human, and ecosystem determinants of health. Globally, the majority of emerging infections in humans including SARS-Cov2—the causative agent of COVID-19—are transmitted from animals through environmental contacts in the last few decades. Yet, even when the biological and social interactions at the human, animal, and environmental interface that drive spillover of zoonotic diseases have been proven, OH strategies to address associated complex health challenges today are still rudimentary in many national health systems. Despite the disproportionate burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, OH is minimally incorporated into routine disease control and national health security programs. Challenges include poor policy support for OH in sub-Saharan Africa, and where some form of policy framework does exist, there are significant implementation bottlenecks. In this paper, we identified ideological, technical, operational, and economic barriers to OH implementation in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, and highlighted possible recommendations across these domains. In order to yield sustainable benefits, a relevant OH policy approach in the sub-Saharan African health systems must derive from a buy-in of the critical mass of stakeholders in the society. Conclusion The implementation of sustainable OH approaches as a countermeasure to recurring emerging infections is a developmental priority for sub-Saharan African countries. A deep understanding of the local context must be leveraged to develop integrative OH solutions that are bold, rooted in science, and proven to be compatible with the level of development in sub-Saharan Africa.

From theory to practice: Analyzing factors that foster the successful implementation of the one health approach for enhancing health security in Cameroon

“…During the management of public health emergencies in Cameroon, it is noteworthy that other sectors actively participate in ad hoc trainings, a practice supported by several authors [ 12 , 17 , 18 , 22 ]. The lack of communication between sectors and the “siloed approach” has been identified as a significant constraint to the successful implementation of the One Health approach [ 15 , 18 , [23] , [24] , [25] ].…”

“…Financing priorities and imbalances in resource allocation among sectors are observed as limiting factors [ 18 , 21 , 25 , 28 ]. Demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of the One Health approach through economic analysis and research can help garner support from policymakers [ 24 ]. Proper allocation and management of physical resources along the supply chain are crucial for successful material resource management [ 10 ].…”

One Health in practice: Benefits and challenges of multisectoral coordination and collaboration in managing public health risks: A meta-analysis

“…Many countries have made significant efforts to operationalize and institutionalize OH at a national level, leaving lower levels behind [34]. For example, a study conducted in Tanzania and Nigeria on the operationalization of OH showed limited cooperation and integration of OH into routine disease control and national health security programs [35,36]. Similarly, a study conducted in Tanzania identified key factors hindering the implementation of OH as well as multisectoral coordination and collaboration [30,37].…”

“…However, multisectoral coordination is still a challenge for many countries, as highlighted in studies conducted by different countries around the world on how countries fail to integrate and translate policies into action, for example, in the Middle East [24], Kenya [26], Qatar [28], the Sub-Saharan region [35], Nigeria [36], South Africa [38], Indonesia [39], Western Asia [40], and China [41]. Reviewed articles n = 23 (50%) indicated that policies, guidelines, and plans need to be integrated to facilitate the implementation of OH activities and multisectoral coordination and collaboration.…”

Conceptual Design of the “Private Car” Self-Isolation Ecosystem for the 2019-nCoV Infection

“…The medical and domestic waste generated in the isolation area must be treated according to medical waste disposal standards [ 22 ]. When the medical waste container is 75% full, the waste should be double-layer sealed, and before it leaves the isolation area, its surface should be sprayed with 1000 mg/L chlorine disinfectant, or a layer made from a medical waste packaging bag should be added.…”