By Toheeb Omotayo
The Kwara State Government has inaugurated a multi-sectoral committee to strengthen the One-Health approach, aimed at enhancing disease surveillance, detection, prevention, and response to public health threats across the state.
The initiative, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Project Communication and ICT Officer of Kwara L-PRES, Yusuf Adebisi, was unveiled during a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Kwara State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, held in Ilorin.
The PUNCH gathered that the workshop was designed to build the state’s capacity to respond effectively to emerging and re-emerging diseases through coordinated action among relevant sectors.
Speaking at the event, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, represented by the National Animal Health Services Specialist, Dr Mustapha Mohammed, said the programme was part of activities under Sub-component 1.3 of the project.
“The workshop is in fulfilment of Sub-component 1.3 of the project, which focuses on support to animal health services, where One-Health is a key thematic component,” he said.
Abubakar explained that strengthening the One-Health platform at the sub-national level had become imperative due to existing gaps in collaboration among critical actors responsible for implementing the framework in the state.
“There is a clear need to address the gaps within the state’s One-Health system, especially in terms of collaboration among stakeholders that are expected to drive effective implementation,” he noted.
The coordinator added that the project considered it necessary to convene stakeholders across the state to brainstorm and share knowledge on current developments and best practices in One-Health implementation nationwide.
Also speaking, a former Director of Animal Husbandry Services at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Winnie Lai-Solarin, urged members of the newly inaugurated committee to be deliberate and intentional in carrying out their responsibilities.
According to Lai-Solarin, “The One-Health approach will foster inter-agency collaboration and ensure rapid response across relevant sectors to public health threats and emerging diseases.”
In his opening remarks, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr Olusoji Oyawoye, said most infectious diseases affecting humans originate from animals or environmental factors, making collaboration among sectors unavoidable.
Oyawoye stated, “This reality necessitates strong collaboration between human, animal and environmental health sectors, as well as other relevant institutions, to safeguard public health.”
He urged members of the committee to recognise the interdependent nature of their assignments, stressing that collective effort was crucial to achieving sustainable health outcomes in the state.
The multi-sectoral committee comprises representatives from the state Ministries of Health, Environment, Livestock Development, Water Resources, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, and other relevant bodies.
According to the organisers, the programme underscores the Kwara State Government’s sustained commitment to strengthening epidemiological preparedness, protecting public health, and promoting a safer environment.
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