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Ondo Intensifies One Health Strategy to Combat Zoonotic Diseases
The Ondo State Government has intensified efforts to prevent zoonotic and other public health diseases through strengthened inter-ministerial collaboration under the One Health framework.
This was disclosed at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on the One Health Initiative organised by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project in Akure.
Speaking at the event, the Ondo State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr. Olufemi Adeogun, described the One Health platform as a critical mechanism for ensuring a disease-free environment in the state. He explained that the initiative is designed to prevent and control diseases—particularly zoonotic diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans—through coordinated action across key sectors.
According to Adeogun, effective implementation of the One Health approach requires close collaboration among the Ministry of Agriculture and its subsectors, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water Resources.
“All these four ministries must work together to ensure Ondo State remains free of diseases, especially zoonotic diseases that can move from animals to humans and vice versa,” he said.
He further explained that the One Health concept recognises the interconnection between human health, animal health and the environment, stressing that sustainable disease prevention can only be achieved through joint planning and response.
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engineer Leye Akinola, described the gathering as timely and strategic, noting that the One Health initiative provides a coordinated framework for addressing emerging public health challenges.
Akinola commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for prioritising people-centred policies, including the upgrading of health facilities across the state and the recruitment of 1,000 health professionals to address manpower shortages.
He also highlighted achievements recorded under the L-PRES project and urged stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the development of a One Health strategic plan tailored to Ondo State’s specific needs.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, emphasised the importance of sustainability and collective ownership of the initiative.
“We need to take ownership and work together because society must be disease-free,” she said, while calling on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to actively participate in deliberations and implementation.
Earlier, the Animal Health Officer at the L-PRES Ondo State Coordinating Office, Dr. Taiwo Adigun, explained that the meeting was convened to adapt the national One Health strategic plan to reflect the peculiarities of Ondo State.
He noted that while a comprehensive One Health plan exists at the federal level, the state must domesticate its own version to ensure effective implementation.
He added that discussions would also focus on establishing critical structures such as the One Health Steering Committee, Technical Committee and Emergency Rapid Response Committee.
Dr. Adigun assured participants of L-PRES’ readiness to support selected One Health activities in the state.
In their goodwill messages, the Director of Clinical Services, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Iwaola Lanre Michael, and the Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Stephen Fagbemi, pledged continued collaboration and institutional support for the successful implementation of the initiative.
Stakeholders renewed their commitment to strengthening inter-sectoral cooperation, institutionalising One Health structures, and working collectively towards a healthier and more resilient Ondo State.
