Launch | One Health: Approach for action against neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030
One Health is described as an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.
The approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development[1].
One Health approaches are key to sustainably prevent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This webinar will formally launch One Health: approach for action against neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030. This companion document to the NTD road map 2021-2030 aims to support stakeholders and countries, international organization and non-State actors to achieve the 2030 targets through transdisciplinary and cross-cutting approaches.
WHO will formally launch this document by bringing together panelists who will highlight its key concepts and importance. The webinar will also share experiences of One Health in action.
[1] Operational definition recognized by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The four organizations are working together to mainstream One Health so that they are better prepared to prevent, predict, detect, and respond to global health threats and promote sustainable development.
Speakers
Bernadette Abela-Ridder - Scientist, Neglected Zoonotic Diseases @World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Bernadette Abela-Ridder is a veterinary epidemiologist and currently part of WHO’s Veterinary, Public Health, Vector Control and Environment (VVE) unit of the NTD Department. As a One Health lead, Dr Abela-Ridder works closely with FAO, OIE, UNEP and other institutions to advance common priorities that are at the interface of human, animal and environmental health. Previously, she worked in the Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses. She has also worked in public health, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance.
Wendy Harrison - CEO @SCI Foundation, London, UK
Wendy Harrison is currently the CEO of the SCI Foundation that partners with Ministry of Health to support the delivery comprehensive programmes to eliminate schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths. As a veterinarian, Dr Harrison is a strong advocate of the one health approach and is a commissioner on the Lancet One Health commission. She formed part of the group of experts who contributed to the development of the recent NTD road map One Health companion document.
Onyeka Erobu - Senior Health Advisor @City of Freetown, Sierra Leone
Onyeka Erobu is Senior Health Advisor to Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Dr Erobu is committed to using an inclusive, data-driven approach to address health challenges in the City. She has over 12 years of combined experience in clinical medicine, public health, project management, and public policy. She is currently working on a humane dog population management and mass dog vaccination campaign in Freetown towards the elimination of rabies in Sierra Leone.
Franck C.J. Berthe - Senior Livestock Specialist @World Bank Group, Washington DC, USA
Franck Berthe works at the World Bank on One Health-related public health issues across the agriculture, environment, water and public health sectors. Dr Berthe has previously worked for the European Food Safety Authority and the Atlantic Veterinary College, in Prince Edward Island, Canada. He has also served as an expert for the World Organization for Animal Health and currently forms part of the Lancet One Health Commission.
NG Lee Ching - Group Director @Environmental Health Institute, Singapore
NG Lee Ching is Director of National Environment Agency’s Environmental Health Institute, Singapore. Professor Ng has spent 20 years contributing to building laboratory capability for Singapore’s public health and developing tools and strategies for mitigation of risks. She also serves as Advisor to WHO for dengue and chikungunya surveillance and control and is Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research of Arbovirus and their Associated Vectors in Singapore.
Harena Rasamoelina - Coordinator @SEGA One Health Network, Indian Ocean Commission, Mauritius
Harena Rasamoelina is a veterinary/public health epidemiologist and currently Coordinator of SEGA One Health - a network of countries of the Indian Ocean Commission comprising The Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, and The Seychelles. In this capacity Dr Rasamoelina oversees disease surveillance, emergency response and capacity strengthening. He has also served as researcher/professor at the University of Antananarivo.