Jembi recently met with key representatives from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in Gaborone, Botswana, to discuss advancing One Health disease surveillance in Southern Africa.
The meeting included Dr. Moetapele Letshwenyo, SADC Sub-Regional Representative for WOAH, and Dr. Caesar Lubaba, Regional Programme Officer.
This engagement aimed to explore strategies for improving data integration across health systems to better detect and respond to and prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Driving Integration for Stronger One Health Systems
WOAH plays a critical role in enhancing veterinary information systems, ensuring that data from member states is both timely and actionable.
These efforts are part of the broader One Health Joint Action Plan, supported by the Quadripartite Organizations:
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
World Health Organization (WHO)
The plan aims to mitigate the risks of zoonotic diseases and prevent future pandemics by promoting collaboration across sectors. During the meeting, discussions focused on leveraging digital tools to enhance data sharing between human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Jembi’s Contributions to One Health Surveillance
As an active member of the ERFAN network, Jembi advocates for sustainable, interoperable data systems that strengthen One Health surveillance.
Specific contributions include:
Improving diagnostic procedures at the Mozambique Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL)
Supporting the CVL's accreditation and introducing biosafety standards
Building capacity in health information systems
Integrating One Health systems for surveillance purposes
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
The meeting with WOAH officials yielded important insights and outcomes:
Strengthened partnerships to promote cross-border data collaboration within the SADC region.
Identified priorities for enhancing interoperability between One Health data systems.
Agreed on the need for ongoing technical support to ensure the sustainability of these systems.
These discussions reaffirm Jembi’s role as a catalyst for advancing One Health surveillance through digital innovation and strategic partnerships.
Why This Matters for One Health Stakeholders
Effective disease surveillance is not just about technology—it’s about timely, accurate data that informs public health decisions.
Jembi’s holistic approach ensures that:
Data flows seamlessly across sectors, enabling faster responses to emerging health threats.
Health officials have the tools and information needed to make evidence-based decisions.
Regional collaboration is strengthened to address health risks that cross borders.
Jembi and our partners' work doesn’t stop here. We continue to advocate for integrated One Health systems that protect both people and the environment.
