Health, vet officials from across Asia meet in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines -  Human and veterinary health officials from across the countries of Asia recently held a three-day seminar in Cebu City to strengthen cross-sectoral relationships, share examples and experiences of practical applications of the so-called “One Health” purposely to develop strategies to fight health problems in the future.

 Cebu City veterinarian Alice Utlang, who attended the event that culminated yesterday afternoon, explained that the so-called “One Health” strategy is a kind of approach protecting animal, human and environmental health by recognizing the fact that humans’ health, animals and the environment are inextricably woven together.

Utlang said it was discussed during the seminar that there should be a collective efforts to develop a broader understanding of the points of connectivity between animals and humans and address the couriers of the disease using multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approaches.

 “Dili na magtulod-tulod og responsibilidad sama nga dili ko anang trabahoa kay dili na apil sa akong tahas. Kun health inspectors pananglit, mahimong moapil na usab siya pagtan-aw sa kahimtang sa mga hayop bisan dili siya veterinary inspectors,” Utlang said.

But, according to Utlang, the concerned human and veterinary personnel shall be required to attend a seminar for them to know the duties and responsibilities of their counterparts in human and veterinary health.

Utlang said Australian chief veterinary officer Andy Carroll is committed to work with Asia-Pacific Economic Council (Apec) to improve collective disease anticipation, prevention, response and management capacities through the application of One Health approaches.

Carroll explained that the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, in cooperation with the Philippine Government and the APEC Agriculture Technical Cooperation Working Group had initiated the seminar workshop aimed at strengthening their abilities to address diseases that threaten human and animal health.

 “Infectious diseases present a huge challenge to the global community, the economy, and the environment. Working together globally will make it possible to meet the very serious challenge posed by these diseases such as bird flu and rabies,” Carroll said.

According to Utlang, the workshop held at the Marco Polo Hotel from February 8 to 11 was the first of two workshops this year aimed at bringing together human and animal health officials to strengthen cross-sectoral relationships.

The participants of the seminar were toured in a poultry farm, a nature and conservation park, and at the Cebu City Animal Bite Treatment Center to give them a chance to see and discuss aspects of One Health in action in the Philippines. (FREEMAN)