This session is titled “One Health approach to combatting zoonotic diseases”. This webinar was recorded on October 21, 2024 at 10 am EST. To view the recording, click here: https://youtu.be/y5wvMFxBtdE?si=7Ou0FY4ka4bzheuD.

Session topic:

This session focuses on how the social and behavioural sciences can help us combat zoonotic diseases through the One Health approach. The Gambia has made significant progress in implementing a One Health approach to combat zoonotic diseases and integrate human, animal, and environmental health sectors into their national NTD program. Zoonotic diseases – any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans – represent a significant and growing threat to global health. These are often also diseases affected by water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH services). Their prevention and elimination require the implementation of a comprehensive, One Health approach, which is defined by the One Health High Level Expert Panel as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. In 2022, the WHO launched a companion document to the NTD road map, Ending the neglect to attain the sustainable development goals. One health: approach for action against neglected tropical diseases 2021- 2030, which encouraged a paradigm shift towards One Health in national NTD programmes. Since this publication, several countries have ramped up efforts to apply this One Health approach within their own NTD programme, including The Gambia.

Session speaker:

Mr Balla Jatta is the current Programme Manager for Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTDs) at the Ministry of Health in The Gambia, and Chair of the Kikundi NTD Managers Community of Practice. He has been NTD Programme Manager since November 2018. He participated in the Mapping of Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiases in The Gambia in 2015 and participated in the development of the NTD Master Plan 2015 – 2020. He also led the development of the NTD Master Plan 2021 – 2025. He also coordinated Mass Drug Administrations in 2017 and 2018. He holds a Masters in Business Administration (Public Health) from Carden University (USA). He has previously served as an Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance Officer with the Ministry of Health, the Gambia, Public Health Officer at the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, the Gambia, as well as worked as a trainer and supervisor at the Gambia Red Cross Society.