By Sarah Mawerere
Africa participants who have attended the “One Health” Summit in Lyon- France, have made recommendations geared at adopting local African innovation realities to address context-specific needs of Africa.
The participants have called on governments, regional institutions, and international partners to institutionalize “One Health” approach, sustainably strengthen legal and institutional frameworks that promote integrated and coordinated multi-sectoral governance, develop integrated early warning systems and establish proactive mechanisms linking health, climate, and the environment to effectively prevent health crises.
The African innovation adapted to local realities and context-specific innovations address the specific needs of African populations.
The participants fronted the idea to accelerate local production of health solutions and development of African industrial capacities in the pharmaceutical, vaccine, and medical technology sectors.
They also said, it is of paramount importance to strengthen African human capital and develop interdisciplinary skills capable of supporting the transformation of health and environmental systems.
They suggested the idea to recognize the strategic role of civil society and the media in their contribution to raising awareness, mobilizing citizens, and disseminating scientific knowledge.
They further recommended the need to strengthen African leadership in global health governance, promote a coordinated African position, and strengthen continental cooperation to advance African priorities in international forums.
The participants however acknowledge that:
✓ Global health security depends on integrated and multispectral approaches;
✓ Climate change, the degradation of natural resources, and the accelerated loss of biodiversity seriously threaten the health, nutrition, and well-being of populations, particularly in developing countries;
✓ Health sovereignty is a strategic priority for African countries;
✓ Local innovation and regional production are essential to reducing structural vulnerabilities;
✓ Scientific, climate, and health data must be better integrated to anticipate crises;
✓ The involvement of communities, youth, and women is essential for the sustainable success of public policies.
President and Chair Galien Africa, (the organization dedicated to fostering scientific innovation and improving health across Africa), Prof. Awa Marie COLL SECK therefore had noted that a One Sustainable Health Forum is needed on ground to tackle One Health.
Prof. Awa reiterated the need to have a strong One Health network for a sustainable One Health approach to tackle the multifaceted challenges of human health, animals and the environment.
Galien Africa participated in the 2023 and 2025 editions of the “One Sustainable Health for
All Forum”, and made a significant contribution to organizing the “One Sustainable Health by
All” Forum in Dakar (in 2024), affirming Africa’s commitment to playing a leading role in promoting sustainable and collaborative health.
