One Health: A collaborative approach to health security in South Sudan
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines One Health as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) is closely linked and interdependent.” [1]
In the current health environment where everything is connected, the One Health Initiative is a welcome strategy, bringing together the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Animal Resources. The need for integrating disease control and prevention has been recognized for a long time, particularly with the emergence of zoonotic diseases that cross-infect from animals to humans.[2]
With the support of the WHO, South Sudan recently launched the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), a “comprehensive, multi-sectoral roadmap to strengthen the country’s core capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies, in line with International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). It is a plan that embodies the spirit of ‘One Health’, integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems to address the major public health threats profiled in the country using the WHO strategic tool for assessing risk.”[3]
South Sudan has a very fragile health system, which to many may be nonexistent in some places. From the cholera outbreaks to Ebola Virus Disease, Mpox and Marburg disease, to the rampant insecurity, floods, and famine, the response to all these requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. One Health may tackle some of these issues.
The country has been writing and developing five-year policies, strategic plans, and development initiatives that were barely implemented before they were due for another update. Many such colourful, well-designed plans gather dust on desks and shelves across the country after the fanfare of the launches. These initiatives failed despite assurances of political commitment from the leaders due to a lack of budget allocations.
We call on the government to spare the NAPHS from the fate of many brilliant initiatives that vanished into thin air. One Health is an approach that South Sudan needs in order to address its numerous health challenges. Let us save it.
References
- World Health Organization. One Health https://www.who.int/europe/initiatives/one-health#
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, One Health. About Zoonotic Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/about/about-zoonotic-diseases.html
- World Health Organization. The youngest nation in Africa becomes the sixth Country to complete the 2nd generation National Action Plan for Health Security, 13 August 2025. https://www.afro.who.int/countries/south-sudan/news/youngest-nation-africa-becomes-sixth-country-complete-2nd-generation-national-action-plan-health?country=South%20Sudan&name=South%20Sudan