The Government has emphasized the importance of strong collaboration among sectors in ensuring the successful implementation of the One Health approach, which aims to strengthen public health systems from household to national level.
Assistant Director of the One Health Section under the Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister’s Office – Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Salum Manyatta, said the One Health Strategic Plan is designed to ensure that citizens benefit from coordinated efforts between human health, animal health, agriculture, and environmental sectors.
Dr. Manyatta made the remarks on April 13, 2026 in Tanga Region during a technical meeting for experts developing the Regional One Health Implementation Plan.
The five-day workshop, held in Korogwe Town Council from April 13 to April 17, 2026, was organized by the Prime Minister’s Office – One Health Section in collaboration with CIHEB Tanzania under the Global Health Security project.
He said the training brings together experts to strengthen their understanding of the One Health concept and equip them to develop a practical regional implementation plan that will guide coordinated action at all levels.
Dr. Manyatta explained that the One Health approach focuses on preventing, preparing for, and responding to disease outbreaks and other health risks that affect both humans and animals and require joint action from multiple sectors.
He stressed that the approach is led by key sectors including human health, livestock and wildlife health, agriculture, and environment, working together with other stakeholders including communities to improve efficiency in disease prevention and response.
“This collaboration is important because many health challenges we face today, including diseases that spread from animals to humans, require joint efforts from different sectors working as one team,” he said.
He added that the regional plan will help address existing health challenges in Tanga Region while improving coordination and ensuring all sectors work with a shared understanding and clear direction.
Tanga Regional Medical Officer, Dr. Japhet Simeo, representing the Regional Administrative Secretary, commended the government for continuing to educate stakeholders on the One Health approach.
He said the region is committed to turning the plan into action rather than keeping it at the discussion level.
“We must move from concept to action. Having plans is important, but what matters most is implementation on the ground so that communities can benefit,” he said.
One Health Supervisor and Global Health Security Project Coordinator from CIHEB Tanzania, Dr. Irene Massawe, said cooperation among stakeholders will help strengthen disease prevention and response systems, especially for outbreaks that can spread from animals to humans such as rabies and anthrax.
She said the five-day workshop will help participants develop practical skills that will be applied in daily work to ensure that the One Health plan delivers real results at community level.
The One Health approach is a globally recognized framework supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), among others, aimed at improving coordination between human, animal, and environmental health sectors to address shared health risks.
