Liberia Celebrates World One Health Day with Commitment to Sustaining Community-Centric Health Initiatives

Today, November 4, 2024, Liberia took a major step forward in strengthening its commitment to health resilience and sustainability as it celebrated World One Health Day under the powerful theme, “One Health in Communities,” and slogan, “One Health: One Community, One Future.” The event, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture at its Project Management Unit on the Japan Freeway, brought together a cross-section of Liberia’s health sector, including government ministries, civil society, students, and global partners, all of whom underscored the importance of uniting human, animal, and environmental health. This year’s event was funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

A dedicated line of support in our national budget will enable Liberia to address and prevent health crisis holistically.

Delivering a compelling keynote address, Ms. Joyce L. Kilikpo, Executive Director of Public Health Initiative of Liberia (PHIL), challenged the Liberian government to not only embrace but sustain the One Health initiative through concrete budgetary support. “The One Health approach is vital in confronting the intersecting health threats our communities face,” Ms. Kilikpo stated. “A dedicated line of support in our national budget will enable Liberia to address and prevent health crises holistically.” Her words were a call to action that resonated throughout the event, highlighting the need for government-led investment in this initiative.

Representing the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Prince Menkalo Gbieu, Chief of Office Staff, reiterated Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s unwavering support for the One Health initiative, emphasizing that collaborative action among ministries and agencies is the foundation of sustainable health gains. “If we are to secure the advances made, we must act as one body, sharing resources and objectives,” Mr. Gbieu said. “The Vice President remains committed to pushing this agenda, but success hinges on every stakeholder’s contribution.”

The occasion was also marked by a heartfelt acknowledgment of the work of Mr. Sonpon Blamo Sieh, Sr., a dedicated champion of One Health in Liberia and across Africa. Mr. Sieh was ceremoniously gowned by the One Health Secretariat in appreciation for his pivotal role in advancing the One Health approach. Grateful for the recognition, Mr. Sieh called on all stakeholders to remain steadfast in their support of One Health, affirming, “Our collective commitment will be the driving force for long-term health security.”

A significant milestone during the event was the official dedication of the newly rehabilitated Epidemiology (EPI) Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, funded by the World Bank under the Liberia COVID-19 Emergency Response Project. Mr. Gbieu, cutting the ribbon on behalf of the Vice President, expressed profound gratitude to the World Bank for its steadfast support in strengthening Liberia’s healthcare capacity. “This facility symbolizes the impact of international cooperation in safeguarding Liberia’s public health,” he noted, underscoring the crucial role of partnerships in building a resilient health infrastructure.

This follows a turnover of assorted surveillance supplies by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Making the presentation on behalf of the FAO, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed, Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Team Lead, reaffirmed the FAO’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and the One Health initiative.

If we are to secure the advances made, we must act as one body, sharing resources and objectives

Throughout the day, speakers from various government ministries and agencies, and partners, including Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN), Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Breakthrough Action, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), renewed their institutions’ commitment to the One Health framework, reflecting a collective vision of a future where health risks can be managed through multisectoral collaboration. The atmosphere was one of unity, with each speaker highlighting the importance of breaking down silos between sectors to achieve tangible health outcomes in Liberian communities.

Liberia’s observance of World One Health Day not only demonstrated a national commitment to integrated health solutions but also emphasized the power of collaboration in addressing complex health challenges. As the nation moves forward, the message was clear: Liberia’s strength in health resilience lies in its commitment to “One Health: One Community, One Future.”

The Liberia One Health Platform has set a firm foundation, and with government support and community engagement, the future holds the promise of a healthier, more resilient Liberia for all.