Operationalizing the ECOWAS regional one health coordination mechanism (2016–2019): Scoping review on progress, challenges and way forward

One Health

Nnomzie Charles Atama¹  Vivian Iwar²  Chukwuma David Umeokonkwo, MPH, FWACP³  Bernard Yao Koffi⁴  Edgard-Marius Ouendo⁵  Serge Nzietchueng⁶  Casey Barton Behravesh⁷  Issiaka Sombie⁸  Virgil Kuassi Lokossou⁹  Nadia Oussayef^1,10  Stanley Okolo^1,11 

[1] Corresponding author at: ECOWAS Regional Center for Surveillance and Disease Control, 15 Buchanan Street Wuse 2, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.;Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands;Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Belgium;Forestry, Nigeria;Department of Community Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria;;Department of Livestock Services, Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture &ECOWAS Directorate of Environment, Nigeria;ECOWAS Regional Animal Health Center, Nigeria;ECOWAS Regional Centre for Disease Surveillance and Control, Nigeria;Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations, Canada;US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA;

关键词: One health;    ECOWAS;    Regional one health coordination mechanism;    West Africa;    Multisectoral coordination;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Based on recommendations from two consultative meetings held in Dakar, Senegal (2016) and Abuja, Nigeria (2017) the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) implemented a Regional One Health Coordination Mechanism (R-OHCM). This study analyzed the process, challenges and gaps in operationalizing the R-OHCM in West Africa. We utilized a scoping review to assess five dimensions of the operation of an R-OHCM based on political commitment, institutional structure, management and coordination capacity, joint planning and implementation, as well as technical and financial resources. Information was gathered through a desk review, interview of key informants, and the viewpoints of relevant stakeholders from ECOWAS region during a regional One Health technical meeting in Lomé, Togo in October 2019. It was found that political commitment at regional meetings and the countries adoption of regional frameworks were key strengths of the R-OHCM, although there are continued challenges with commitment, sustainability, and variability of awareness about One Health approach. ECOWAS formulated regional strategic documents and operationalized the One Health secretariat for strengthening coordination. The R-OHCM has technical working groups however, there is need for engagement of more specialized workforce and a harmonized reporting structure. Furthermore, inadequate focus on operational research, and weak national OHCM are identified as main gaps. Finally, the support of technical and financial partners will help to address the lack of funding which limits the implementation of the R-OHCM. West Africa has demonstrated profound effort in adopting the One Health approach at regional level but is presently deterred by challenges such as limited skilled One Health workforce, especially in the animal and environmental health sectors, and access to quality of One Health surveillance.

【 授权许可】

Unknown