Abstract
It is increasingly clear that resolution of complex global health problems requires interdisciplinary, intersectoral expertise and cooperation from governmental, nongovernmental and educational agencies. 'One Health' refers to the collaboration of multiple disciplines and sectors working locally, nationally and globally to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. One Health offers the opportunity to acknowledge shared interests, set common goals, and drive toward team work to benefit the overall health of a nation. As in most countries, the health of Rwanda's people and economy are highly dependent on the health of the environment. Recently, Rwanda has developed a One Health strategic plan to meet its human, animal and environmental health challenges. This approach drives innovations that are important to solve both acute and chronic health problems and offers synergy across systems, resulting in improved communication, evidence-based solutions, development of a new generation of systems-thinkers, improved surveillance, decreased lag time in response, and improved health and economic savings. Several factors have enabled the One Health movement in Rwanda including an elaborate network of community health workers, existing rapid response teams, international academic partnerships willing to look more broadly than at a single disease or population, and relative equity between female and male health professionals. Barriers to implementing this strategy include competition over budget, poor communication, and the need for improved technology. Given the interconnectedness of our global community, it may be time for countries and their neighbours to follow Rwanda's lead and consider incorporating One Health principles into their national strategic health plans.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | e000121 |
| Journal | BMJ Global Health |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2017 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health Policy
Cite this
Implementing one health as an integrated approach to health in Rwanda. / Nyatanyi, Thierry; Wilkes, Michael S; McDermott, Haley; Nzietchueng, Serge; Gafarasi, Isidore; Mudakikwa, Antoine; Kinani, Jean Felix; Rukelibuga, Joseph; Omolo, Jared; Mupfasoni, Denise; Kabeja, Adeline; Nyamusore, Jose; Nziza, Julius; Hakizimana, Jean Leonard; Kamugisha, Julius; Nkunda, Richard; Kibuuka, Robert; Rugigana, Etienne; Farmer, Paul; Cotton, Philip; Binagwaho, Agnes.
In: BMJ Global Health, Vol. 2, No. 1, e000121, 01.01.2017.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Implementing one health as an integrated approach to health in Rwanda
AU - Nyatanyi, Thierry
AU - Wilkes, Michael S
AU - McDermott, Haley
AU - Nzietchueng, Serge
AU - Gafarasi, Isidore
AU - Mudakikwa, Antoine
AU - Kinani, Jean Felix
AU - Rukelibuga, Joseph
AU - Omolo, Jared
AU - Mupfasoni, Denise
AU - Kabeja, Adeline
AU - Nyamusore, Jose
AU - Nziza, Julius
AU - Hakizimana, Jean Leonard
AU - Kamugisha, Julius
AU - Nkunda, Richard
AU - Kibuuka, Robert
AU - Rugigana, Etienne
AU - Farmer, Paul
AU - Cotton, Philip
AU - Binagwaho, Agnes
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - It is increasingly clear that resolution of complex global health problems requires interdisciplinary, intersectoral expertise and cooperation from governmental, nongovernmental and educational agencies. 'One Health' refers to the collaboration of multiple disciplines and sectors working locally, nationally and globally to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. One Health offers the opportunity to acknowledge shared interests, set common goals, and drive toward team work to benefit the overall health of a nation. As in most countries, the health of Rwanda's people and economy are highly dependent on the health of the environment. Recently, Rwanda has developed a One Health strategic plan to meet its human, animal and environmental health challenges. This approach drives innovations that are important to solve both acute and chronic health problems and offers synergy across systems, resulting in improved communication, evidence-based solutions, development of a new generation of systems-thinkers, improved surveillance, decreased lag time in response, and improved health and economic savings. Several factors have enabled the One Health movement in Rwanda including an elaborate network of community health workers, existing rapid response teams, international academic partnerships willing to look more broadly than at a single disease or population, and relative equity between female and male health professionals. Barriers to implementing this strategy include competition over budget, poor communication, and the need for improved technology. Given the interconnectedness of our global community, it may be time for countries and their neighbours to follow Rwanda's lead and consider incorporating One Health principles into their national strategic health plans.
AB - It is increasingly clear that resolution of complex global health problems requires interdisciplinary, intersectoral expertise and cooperation from governmental, nongovernmental and educational agencies. 'One Health' refers to the collaboration of multiple disciplines and sectors working locally, nationally and globally to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. One Health offers the opportunity to acknowledge shared interests, set common goals, and drive toward team work to benefit the overall health of a nation. As in most countries, the health of Rwanda's people and economy are highly dependent on the health of the environment. Recently, Rwanda has developed a One Health strategic plan to meet its human, animal and environmental health challenges. This approach drives innovations that are important to solve both acute and chronic health problems and offers synergy across systems, resulting in improved communication, evidence-based solutions, development of a new generation of systems-thinkers, improved surveillance, decreased lag time in response, and improved health and economic savings. Several factors have enabled the One Health movement in Rwanda including an elaborate network of community health workers, existing rapid response teams, international academic partnerships willing to look more broadly than at a single disease or population, and relative equity between female and male health professionals. Barriers to implementing this strategy include competition over budget, poor communication, and the need for improved technology. Given the interconnectedness of our global community, it may be time for countries and their neighbours to follow Rwanda's lead and consider incorporating One Health principles into their national strategic health plans.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044361176&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85044361176&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000121
DO - 10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000121
M3 - Article
VL - 2
JO - BMJ Global Health
JF - BMJ Global Health
SN - 2059-7908
IS - 1
M1 - e000121
ER -