One-Health Programme

The County Executive for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, David Erukudi today rallied for support of One-health programme where he sited that indeed there was need for both the County Government and other stakeholders/partners to fast-track the operationalization of the One-Health approach in the County.

He pointed out that the emerging human and livestock diseases in Turkana poses a threat to the pastoralist community as well as their livestock and therefore emphasized for the need of a multi-faceted approach from both the Government and private sectors to counter the devastating effect.

The County Executive pledged his full support to champion for the course that would ensure a successful implementation of the programme which will in turn aid eradicate the Zoonotic diseases within the County. In support of the move, the CECM narrated an emotional situation whereby the pastoralists sympathised with the veterinary officers to treat them after vaccinating their livestock. According to him he strongly believes that the need for an integrated programme was the best call, hence he appealed to all stakeholders to give their full support to the integrated approach that would take care of the pastoralists and their livestock at a go.

The event that took place at Mifugo complex at Lodwar was attended by the delegation from USAID-Global health Security(GHS) team that was led by the GHS Advisor Prof.Andrew Thaiyah.

The County Executive briefed the team on the progress of the Turkana County Animal Health Bill and underscored the importance of the Community Disease Reporters(CDRs) structure that he said had helped improve diseases surveillance and control measures.

The County Director for Veterinary Services acknowledged that the progress had been made on the One-Health approach through a concerted effort between the County Government and stakeholders from the private sectors.

According to Dr. Longor, the operationalization of the Turkana County Animal Health Bill, 2023 that is before the County Assembly would be a game changer in disease surveillance and control in cross-border pastoral set-ups.

International Rescue Committee Turkana Field coordinator who also doubles up as Coregroup partners Coordinator Jonathan Ruto said that they are ready to collaborate with Government on the one-heath approach and added that its operationalization will accelerate diseases control efforts.

USAID’s GHS Advisor Prof Andrew Thaiyah said that their main objective as a group was to build capacity and strengthen County and the Country capacity towards early detection of diseases for a rapid response among other Mitigation measures.

Also present were the County Veterinary Officer in charge of Disease and Vector Control Job Rono, County Laboratory Incharge and One Health Focal person Dr. Erenius Nakhadio and Turkana Coregroup partners Program Manager Gregory Waikwa, among others.