Maseru, Oct. 14 — In a bold move to unify human, animal, and environmental health efforts, Lesotho hosted a high-impact three-day National Bridging Workshop spearheaded by the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Food Security, and Environment, and backed by global health giants WHO, FAO, and WOAH, the workshop marked a major leap forward in the country’s One Health strategy.
Deputy Principal Secretary Matsoanelo Monyobi set the tone that to build, they must first break down the silos, urging collaboration across sectors to tackle diseases that often jump from animals to humans.
WHO’s Dr. Sirak Hailu warned of rising zoonotic threats, citing Ebola and pandemic influenza as wake-up calls. “Most emerging diseases come from animals,” he said, pressing for integrated health security.
FAO’s Mohlophehi Maope declared the One Health approach “a necessity, not a choice,” celebrating the workshop’s success in forging a joint roadmap for cross-sector action.
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