The second Somalia One Health Conference was held in Mogadishu from 3rd to 5th March 2024, under the theme “Empowering One Health Workforce to Drive Positive Change for Somalia and the World.” The event saw the participation of government officials and stakeholders crucial to the advancement of the One Health agenda.
Dr. Huyam Salih, the Director of AU-IBAR, was one of the distinguished speakers at the conference. In her keynote address, she emphasized the urgent need to address health risks at the human-animal-plant-environment interface, highlighting the importance of a One Health approach for optimal health outcomes. Dr. Salih also acknowledged the challenges of inadequate funding and weak collaboration, commending Somalia for hosting the conference and expressing hope for productive discussions and actionable solutions.
A major highlight of the event was Dr. Salih’s presentation on “The Role of Technology and Innovation in One Health Resilience.” She stressed the pivotal role of technology and innovation in building resilient One Health systems, particularly in Africa, the origin of 75% of emerging diseases from animals. Dr. Salih underscored the need for a shift towards multi-sectoral approaches outlined in the ‘One Health Joint Plan of Action’ 2022-2026. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of digital technologies in disease detection, prevention, and response, especially in pastoral communities. Dr. Salih also mentioned AU-IBAR’s initiative to establish the African Union Digital One Health platform, aiming to enhance data integration and policy formulation. Continuous innovation in One Health vaccinology and capacity-building efforts were highlighted as essential for building resilient systems.
The Somalia One Health Conference is organized biennially by the Somali One Health Centre of Abrar University, serving as a platform dedicated to advancing One Health knowledge and actions in Somalia and beyond. The conference featured six sessions covering various topics, including Capacity Building for a Resilient One Health Workforce, Zoonotic Diseases, Food Security, and Antimicrobial Resistance. The goal of the event is to accelerate efforts towards national development plans, the African Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In conclusion, the 2nd Somalia One Health Conference provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to come together and discuss the critical role of technology and innovation in advancing One Health resilience. The insights and discussions that took place during the event will undoubtedly contribute to the enhancement of One Health policies and actions, not only in Somalia but also on a global scale.
Content distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
+ There are no comments
Add yours