Local leaders, like mayors, are often in the best position to design and implement locally tailored solutions that are culturally appropriate and sustainable, for addressing a wide range of health and development challenges, as well as they are key resources for offering ground information and best practices to others. That is why Dr Paula Fujiwara said: "You hold the power to develop local One Health legislation, to form and lead relevant and multisectoral One Health Task Forces, to build and implement the action plan for advocacy on One Health approach."
One Health approach is cost-effective too
"COVID-19 is a warning to work collectively across human health, animal health, and environment sectors. One Health is a cost-effective and practical approach for improving human health, animal health, and environment," said Khagaraj Adhikari, senior Member of Parliament, and former Health Minister, Nepal, who is also the current Chair of Asia Pacific Parliamentarians' Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Parliamentarians).
"We must prioritise #OneHealth political advocacy with MPs, mayors, and other local leaders. We must establish legal and other mechanisms that are needed to implement One Health effectively. We must build local and national capacities, and technical skills. We must invest in local solutions and increase public participation," said Khagaraj Adhikari, whose contribution in advancing tobacco control as Nepal's Health Minister is widely respected.
The Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs also echoed Adhikari's call for an enabling environment so that local governments can fully implement the One Health approach on the ground. Dr Teguh Setyabudi, Director General, Regional Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Indonesia, said that "One Health documents must be translated into local plans so that budgetary allocations can be made. With proper policy, plans and funding, local government leaders will be able to implement these strategically."
Globally, as WHO is working with governments worldwide for a possible Global Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Dr Gyanendra Gongal, Regional Advisor, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, said that it includes, "facilitation of multilateral and trans-sectoral implementation of a One Health approach to pandemic prevention" as one of its agendas.
Dr Tara Singh Bam, who is also the Board Director of APCAT, said to CNS (Citizen News Service): "APCAT has always believed in leadership, accountability and transparency and delivery. The Mayors' Alliance needs to work together with subnational governments, national governments, donors and all other partners. APCAT will continue to collaborate, build communications, and strengthen capacity for this cause. We believe in the whole of government approach and we believe with this we will be able to translate the One Health approach into concrete actions on the ground."
Can we escape the cycle of panic and neglect?
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