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Overview

One health Unit

About the One Health Unit – ZNPHI

The One Health Unit at the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) is the national anchor for multisectoral coordination, technical leadership, and policy guidance on public health threats that occur at the intersection of human, animal, plant, and environmental interface. Functioning under the Office of the Director General, the Unit champions Zambia’s shift toward a resilient, integrated, and systems-based approach to health security.

 

In accordance with the ZNPHI Act No. 19 of 2020, ZNPHI is mandated to “support and manage an integrated One Health information platform,” enabling collaborative surveillance, early warning, and response to threats such as zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), chemical hazards, and climate-sensitive health risks.
The Unit convenes and coordinates key line ministries—Health, Agriculture (Livestock and Plant Health), Green Economy and Environment, Local Government, Education, and others—along with academia, civil society, and development partners. Its work is anchored in the One Health Strategic Plan (2022–2026) and aligned with global health security frameworks, such as the International Health Regulations (IHR), OIE Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS), and the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).

Our Services

  • Multisectoral Coordination:

    We provide the national platform for unified action among sectors through structured, tiered coordination systems. These include the One Health Steering Committee (OHSC) for high-level strategic guidance, the One Health Coordination Committee (OHCC) for technical and operational direction, and multisectoral One Health Technical Working Groups (TWGs) at national, provincial, and district levels. The Unit also led the development of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for each coordination platform to ensure clarity of roles, consistency, and accountability.

  • Policy Development and Strategic Frameworks:

    We have spearheaded the development of critical policy instruments that form the backbone of Zambia’s One Health system. These include:

    - The One Health Strategic Plan (OHSP) 2022–2026, which defines the vision, objectives, and priorities for institutionalizing One Health across all levels of government.
    - The Policy Framework for One Health Coordination and Advocacy, which outlines principles, institutional roles, and coordination structures for One Health in Zambia.
    - Guidelines for Zoonotic Disease Prioritization, used to standardize the prioritization of zoonoses based on public health, socioeconomic, and ecological factors.

  • Preparedness and Emergency Response:

    We facilitate joint risk assessments (JRAs), support integrated surveillance systems, and promote the generation and sharing of multisectoral data. Our aim is to inform evidence-based decision-making, enable early detection, and prioritize interventions across sectors.

  • Multisectoral Coordination, Surveillance, Research, and Evidence Generation

    We provide multisectoral technical support for preparedness, response, and recovery during health emergencies. The Unit has played a leading role in coordinating joint outbreak responses for zoonotic and climate-sensitive diseases, as well as simulation exercises to test national readiness.

  • Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:

    The Unit supports the training of stakeholders on key One Health concepts, coordination mechanisms, risk assessment tools, and emergency operations. Through partnerships with institutions such as WHO, FAO, WOAH, and Africa CDC, we strengthen institutional and workforce capacities at national and subnational levels.

  • Advocacy and Awareness:

    We drive national awareness on One Health and its value through stakeholder engagement, media campaigns, and inclusion of One Health concepts in academic and policy forums.

Key Initiatives and Achievements

  • Zoonotic Disease Prioritization:

    The Unit led Zambia’s first One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP) exercise, using a participatory, evidence-based approach to rank zoonotic diseases of greatest concern. This prioritization has since informed surveillance, resource allocation, and research priorities.

  • Joint Risk Assessments (JRAs):

    We coordinate JRAs involving human, animal, and environmental health sectors to assess threats, align capacities, and co-develop mitigation strategies. These assessments are critical to shaping joint preparedness plans and early warning systems.

  • IHR–PVS Bridging Workshops:

    Facilitated in collaboration with WHO and WOAH, these workshops align Zambia’s International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) pathways, thereby strengthening collaboration between human and animal health systems.

  • Climate and Health Integration:

    The Unit is advancing work to integrate climate science into public health, identifying and addressing climate-sensitive health risks. Our efforts include surveillance of vector-borne and waterborne diseases, support for climate-resilient infrastructure, and cross-sectoral scenario planning.

Why One Health Matters for Zambia

As Zambia faces the growing burden of zoonotic outbreaks, climate change, and environmental degradation, the need for a unified health system has never been more urgent. The One Health approach offers a proven model for proactive risk mitigation, resource efficiency, and sustainable development.

By institutionalizing One Health principles into national systems—from policy to frontline service delivery—ZNPHI’s One Health Unit is reshaping how Zambia detects, prepares for, and responds to public health threats. Our vision is clear: a resilient, adaptive, and inclusive health system that protects people, animals, plants, and the ecosystems they share.

Relevant Documents and Materials

  • Zambia National One Health Strategic Plan (2022-2026)
  • One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization Workshop Report
  • One Health Joint Risk Assessment Report
  • IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshop
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