TANZANIA – Tanzania recently hosted a major conference to advance the One Health approach, a critical strategy for improving global health security and sustainable development.
The event, which brought together government officials, international partners, civil society organizations, and health experts, was held under the theme: “Advancing the One Health Approach to Achieve Global Health Security and Sustainable Development.“
The high-profile conference was organized by Tanzania’s Prime Minister’s Office and co-hosted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), reflecting the strong partnership between Tanzania and the U.S. government in addressing pressing health issues.
The Prime Minister of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa, served as the guest of honor and emphasized the importance of a unified approach to health.
“The health systems of human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected. To safeguard the well-being of our people and our planet, we must work together across all sectors. This conference is a testament to our collective efforts to safeguard global health security through One Health,” said Prime Minister Majaliwa in his opening remarks.
The growing importance of the One Health approach
The One Health approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address complex and interconnected global health threats such as zoonotic diseases (diseases that spread between animals and humans), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and ecological degradation.
In recent years, this holistic strategy has gained significant momentum as experts recognize that health threats cannot be effectively managed in isolation.
The conference emphasized the need for coordinated, cross-sector solutions to prevent, detect, and respond to global health risks.
USAID’s key role in advancing Tanzania’s One Health initiatives
A major focus of the conference was the pivotal role that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has played in supporting Tanzania’s One Health efforts.
Through its Breakthrough Action program, USAID has strengthened Tanzania’s ability to address complex health challenges.
One of the most successful initiatives under this program is the “Holela Holela Itakukosti” campaign, which engages local communities in discussions about the responsible use of antibiotics and priority zoonotic diseases such as rabies, anthrax, and brucellosis.
“The Holela Holela Itakukosti campaign has been instrumental in promoting the responsible use of antibiotics in both human and animal health, a key pillar of the One Health approach,” said Dr. Jema Bisimba, Deputy Health Office Director from USAID.
This initiative has empowered communities to take ownership of their health and understand the importance of proper disease prevention,” Dr. Bisimba added.
Through this and other initiatives, USAID has supported Tanzania’s efforts to build a stronger, more resilient health system capable of tackling both current and future health challenges.
Strengthening health systems and surveillance
The conference also spotlighted the challenges posed by climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and the need to strengthen surveillance systems for early detection of health risks.
Experts discussed how rising global temperatures and environmental changes could influence the spread of diseases, with particular focus on zoonotic diseases that jump from animals to humans.
Participants called for enhanced collaboration across sectors such as health, agriculture, and environmental protection to better anticipate and mitigate the effects of climate change on global health.
“Increasing surveillance capacity and improving data sharing between sectors are essential for strengthening our ability to detect health threats early and respond effectively,” said Dr. Bisimba.
Tanzania’s achievements and the path forward
The conference also served as a platform to highlight Tanzania’s significant achievements in implementing the One Health approach.
The Prime Minister’s Office has been a leader in advancing this framework, and participants praised the country’s political will and commitment to global health security.
However, discussions also emphasized the need for continued political support, international collaboration, and resource mobilization to sustain progress.
“To ensure the ongoing success of the One Health approach, we must maintain our commitment, work together internationally, and mobilize resources for action,” said one of the conference’s key organizers.
The conference concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to continue working together to advance the One Health agenda.
By improving cross-sector collaboration, sharing knowledge, and strengthening health systems, the global community can better protect people, animals, and the environment from the evolving threats posed by zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and other emerging health risks.
“We are proud to stand with Tanzania in this journey, addressing today’s health challenges and building resilient systems for the future,” said Dr. Bisimba.
