National One Health Strategic Plan, 2019 - 2023.

This National One Health Strategic Plan (2019-2023) is a comprehensive document outlining the vision, mission, strategic pillars, objectives, and proposed activities aimed at reducing the risks and impacts of emerging health threats. Recognizing the need for strengthened multi-sectoral collaboration, the Government of Liberia and its partners emphasize the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to health risks at the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health. This Plan serves as a key step in systematically documenting Liberia's One Health priorities, aligning resources and opportunities in a resource-limited context. The Plan's overarching Vision is "a nation with improved health outcomes for people, animals, and the environment." The Plan outlines strategic interventions across six key pillars to address various aspects of public health and provide a coordinated response to emerging health threats (1) Surveillance and Reporting: Strengthen surveillance systems across human, animal, and environmental sectors. The first objective is to establish an integrated, multi-sectoral surveillance system by 2023, enhancing both national and subnational efforts with real-time reporting. The second objective is to operationalize data sharing across sectors, ensuring regular and emergency data exchange. The third objective focuses on developing platforms for data interoperability to enable seamless sharing between human and animal health systems; (2) Laboratory Systems: Strengthen laboratory capacity to detect and manage public health threats. The first objective is to upgrade facilities, expand detection capabilities, and enhance regional networks. The second objective is to improve data management and sharing by creating interconnected systems across human and animal health laboratories to foster better collaboration and timely responses; (3) Preparedness and Response: Minimize the impact of public health emergencies. The first objective is to build capacity through improved governance, vulnerability assessments, and surge capacity. The second objective focuses on enhancing emergency response by revising preparedness plans, mobilizing resources, and establishing contingency stocks for swift action; (4) Research and Capacity Building: Strengthen expertise to address public health challenges. The first objective is to enhance technical capacity through training programs, One Health materials and expanded veterinary initiatives. The second objective promotes research by improving governance, advocating across sectors, addressing research gaps, and building capacity for One Health-related studies; (5) Communication, Coordination, and Partnership: Critical for successful One Health initiatives. The first objective is to establish a functional One Health secretariat that promotes intersectoral collaboration, including a coordination platform, communication mechanisms, and decentralized structures with logistical support. The second objective enhances accountability by improving policies, advocating for legislation, and clarifying stakeholder roles. The third objective strengthens communication systems for effective information dissemination, including a risk communication framework and public awareness campaigns on public health threats and the One Health approach; (6) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) aiming to raise awareness and understanding of AMR through baseline data collection, public campaigns, and monitoring trends via sentinel sites. The second objective optimizes antimicrobial use in human and animal health by developing stewardship training, updating food safety policies, and prioritizing research on commonly used antimicrobials. By addressing the human-animal-environment interface through these six interconnected pillars, the Plan aims to improve health outcomes across all sectors and strengthen responses to emerging health challenges.