By Khalid Idris Doya
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project has brought together key stakeholders in Bauchi State to promote collaboration and develop practical strategies for preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases through the One Health approach.
Speaking during the commemoration of the 2026 World Zoonoses Day yesterday, themed "One Health, One Future: Animal Health is Public Health – Protecting People by Safeguarding Animal Health," the Bauchi State Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Musa Adamu One, called for stronger cooperation among professionals in the human, animal and environmental health sectors to improve disease prevention and strengthen the state's health system.
Represented by the animal health officer of L-PRES, Dr. Samuel Maina, the coordinator said the project's animal health component is focused on boosting livestock productivity by strengthening veterinary services, enhancing disease surveillance and promoting collaboration among the human health, veterinary and environmental sectors.
He explained that the initiative seeks to prevent zoonotic diseases, improve food safety, strengthen disease surveillance, promote healthier communities, advance the One Health agenda and secure a healthier future for all.
According to him, the one health approach recognised the close connection between the health of humans, animals and the environment, stressing that effective control of zoonotic diseases requires coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders.
He noted that maintaining healthy animals and a clean environment is essential to protecting human health, warning that weak disease surveillance and poor disease management increase the risk of infections spreading from animals to humans.
Dr. Maina urged medical practitioners, veterinary professionals, environmental health officers, animal health technicians, regulatory agencies and the media to strengthen partnerships in addressing public health challenges across the state.
Highlighting ongoing interventions, he disclosed that Health Friends, under the L-PRES project, has constructed 10 veterinary clinics at abattoirs across Bauchi State to improve meat inspection, enhance disease surveillance and reduce the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
He added that the facilities are equipped with laboratories to ensure safer meat production and better public health outcomes.
He further revealed plans to establish additional veterinary clinics, diagnostic laboratories and cold-chain facilities for vaccine storage across the state to improve animal healthcare services.
The coordinator emphasised that vaccination remained one of the most effective measures for preventing animal diseases, noting that experts from the National Veterinary Research Institute were participating in the programme to share knowledge on vaccine production and disease prevention.
He called on all stakeholders to support the One Health initiative, saying stronger collaboration would promote healthier communities, safer livestock production and improved public health in Bauchi State.
For his part, the Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Bauchi State chapter, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq, stressed the growing importance of the One Health approach, noting that closer collaboration among the human, animal and environmental health sectors is essential for preventing and controlling diseases.
He said modern healthcare recognises the strong link between humans, animals and the environment, adding that protecting animal health ultimately safeguards human health.
Dr. Sadiq expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration among stakeholders and reaffirmed the association's commitment to supporting the One Health initiative, stating that healthier animals translate into healthier people and a safer environment.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Bauchi State chapter, Sulaiman Sani Bara, who was represented by the association's Treasurer, reiterated the medical community's commitment to supporting the One Health initiative through sustained collaboration and partnership.
In his remarks, the deputy director of veterinary services in the Bauchi State Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Umar Muhammad Liman, said many diseases are transmitted between animals and humans, making animal health a critical component of public health.
He explained that health extends beyond hospitals and treatment, encompassing environmental management, livestock care and community sanitation.
According to him, every change in the environment has direct or indirect consequences for both humans and animals, making the One Health approach indispensable in addressing disease outbreaks and other public health challenges.
Dr. Liman called for sustained public enlightenment on disease prevention, responsible animal husbandry, environmental sanitation and the prompt reporting of unusual disease outbreaks.
He said stronger collaboration, effective public awareness and the commitment of all stakeholders would help build healthier communities, healthier animals and a healthier environment for everyone.
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