United action ‘ll curb zoonotic diseases, L-PRES coordinator assures

The Ondo State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Mr. Olufemi Adeogun, has emphasised the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration in tackling diseases and public health challenges through the ‘One Health’ platform.
In a chat with The HOPE in Akure, Adeogun described the ‘One Health’ platform as a critical initiative aimed at ensuring a disease-free environment in Ondo State.
According to him, the programme is designed to prevent and control diseases, particularly zoonotic diseases, that can be transmitted between animals and humans.
He explained that the initiative brings together key government institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture and its subsectors; the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water Resources.
The collaboration, he said, is necessary to effectively address disease outbreaks and other health-related challenges affecting both humans and animals.
“All these four ministries have to work together to make sure Ondo State is free from diseases, especially zoonotic diseases that can move from animals to humans and from humans to animals,” Adeogun stated.
The L-PRES coordinator noted that a stakeholders meeting organised for participants to brainstorm and develop strategies that would help prevent animal and human diseases, thereby improving overall public health and safety.
He expressed confidence that the deliberations would yield positive outcomes.
Adeogun also urged participants to take the lessons learned back to their respective ministries and duty posts, stressing the need for sustained cooperation beyond the meeting.
In a layman’s explanation of the ‘One Health’ concept, Adeogun described it as the coming together of relevant ministries to jointly address the health of humans and animals within the state, recognising the close link between people, animals and the environment.
The ‘One Health’ approach is increasingly being adopted globally as an effective strategy for preventing disease outbreaks and strengthening health systems through coordinated action.