SADC Member States have taken a significant step towards strengthening regional health security with the validation of a One Health roadmap designed to improve coordination across human, animal, and environmental health systems. The SADC Regional One Health Roadmap Validation Meeting, held on 10 April in Johannesburg, South Africa, brought together Senior government officials, technical experts, and development partners to align strategies and accelerate collective action against growing health threats that cut across sectors and borders.
Opening the meeting, regional One Health lead organizations underscored the urgency of adopting a unified approach as the region faces increasing outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases, rising antimicrobial resistance, and the compounding effects of climate change. These challenges, they emphasized, highlight the deep interconnection between human, animal, and ecosystem health.
South Africa, hosting the meeting, reaffirmed its support for regional cooperation. Speaking during the official opening, Deputy Director for International Relations at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mrs Neriath Kgomongwe, highlighted the importance of the roadmap as a practical tool to strengthen preparedness and response systems.
She described the initiative as a milestone in advancing a coordinated approach to health challenges, noting that issues such as zoonotic diseases, food insecurity, and environmental degradation require collective solutions. “This roadmap is not merely a document,” she said. “It is a strategic instrument designed to guide our collaborative efforts and strengthen institutional coordination across sectors and member states.”
Representing the SADC Secretariat, Mr Duncan Samikwa, described the moment as critical, noting that recent global and regional crises have demonstrated that health threats do not respect national boundaries. He said coordinated, science based responses are essential to protect livelihoods, food systems, and economic stability.
“The One Health approach offers a practical and necessary framework to address these complex problems,” he said, calling for stronger surveillance systems, improved information sharing, and enhanced laboratory capacity across member states.
Partners echoed the need to move beyond policy development to implementation. Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo of the World Organisation for Animal Health cautioned that while the One Health concept is widely accepted, progress has often stalled at the execution stage.
He urged stakeholders to ensure the roadmap does not become another unused document, but instead drives real change on the ground through coordinated action and shared responsibility. “We should not go back to working in silos,” he said, encouraging countries and institutions to maintain collaboration beyond the meeting and leverage shared resources to tackle common threats.
The roadmap under validation is intended to serve as a strategic guide for policy alignment, financing, and joint implementation across the region. It builds on previous technical consultations and reflects a growing recognition that no single sector or country can manage shared health risks alone.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Dr Elma Zanamwe highlighted the increasing pressure from transboundary animal diseases and emerging zoonotic threats. She said strengthening veterinary systems, surveillance, and regional coordination is essential for effective prevention and response.
She noted that the roadmap provides a structured framework for advancing regional collaboration while reinforcing existing institutional systems rather than creating parallel structures. According to her, the document aligns with global One Health priorities and offers clarity on governance, technical cooperation, and resource mobilization.
“The validation of this roadmap marks the transition from planning to coordinated action,” she said, adding that sustained technical leadership and cross sector collaboration will be key to delivering tangible results.
Speaking on behalf of the CCARDESA Executive Director, Dr Majola Mabuza emphasized the organization’s role in coordinating agricultural research and promoting resilience in food systems. He explained that CCARDESA’s ongoing work under the Food Systems Resilience Programme is expected to contribute to One Health objectives, particularly in strengthening coordination between animal, human, and environmental health services.
The roadmap, he added, will provide a clearer framework to guide future interventions and partnerships. “It is very important that we have collective ownership of this roadmap,” he said, stressing that success will depend on sustained political commitment, adequate resources, and strong collaboration at both national and regional levels.
Throughout the meeting, countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Eswatini, and Botswana shared experiences in institutionalizing One Health approaches, highlighting both progress and persistent gaps. These exchanges reinforced the need for stronger multisectoral coordination and regional alignment.
Participants expressed optimism that the initiative will lead to more coordinated, efficient, and resilient responses to health challenges across Southern Africa, ultimately safeguarding public health, food security, and ecosystems in the region. The meeting concluded with the roadmap being validated by Senior Officials from SADC Member States. The same roadmap will be tabled before Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture in their next meeting scheduled for end of May 2026 in Zimbabwe.
