Zimbabwe National One Health Strategic Plan.

The Zimbabwe National One Health Strategic Plan is a comprehensive, evidence-based framework that defines the country’s One Health governance structure, including high-level coordination mechanisms. It sets out clear strategies for cross-sectoral collaboration to build resilient and sustainable One Health systems. By addressing current health challenges through a One Health approach, the Plan supports the vision of achieving a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030, leaving no one and no place behind. It identifies key gaps in Zimbabwe’s health systems, including weak institutional coordination, underdeveloped infrastructure, inadequate funding mechanisms, and limited research and development capacity. To address these challenges, it is organized around the following five strategic pillars: (1) Coordination, which institutionalizes governance structures and strengthens multi-sectoral collaboration across sectors; (2) Surveillance and Prevention, which enhances integrated systems for detecting, monitoring, and controlling public health threats; (3) Sustainable Financing, which secures dedicated and diversified funding to support long-term One Health implementation; (4) Research and Development, which strengthens evidence generation and innovation through integrated research and the effective use of evidence in decision-making; (5) Communication, Advocacy, and Capacity Building, which promotes awareness, strengthens technical skills, and enhances stakeholder engagement to advance One Health objectives.
The Plan identifies the following strategic objectives by 2030 (i) institutionalize One Health coordination through a defined governance structure, with interventions that promote cross-sector collaboration, streamline planning processes, and strengthen the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to public health threats; (ii) strengthen integrated surveillance systems and laboratory capacity for the prevention, detection, and control of public health threats, with a focus on national One Health priority areas; (iii) secure and institutionalize sustainable financing mechanisms for One Health initiatives to ensure long-term resilience and effective implementation of programs; (iv) invest in sustainable research and development to inform One Health programming through interventions that build capacity, institutionalize health impact assessments, enhance knowledge management, and promote sustainable One Health research practices; (v) strengthen One Health communication, advocacy, and capacity building to enhance awareness, develop competencies, and foster support for One Health initiatives across all sectors and stakeholders.
Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for Health, Agriculture, and Environment, along with other stakeholders whose mandates intersect within the One Health domains, have committed to implementing this One Health Strategic Plan. Effective coordination, resource mobilization, and advocacy are emphasized as critical enablers for successful implementation. These efforts are intended to strengthen cross-sectoral integration, secure adequate resources, and ensure effective achievement of the Plan’s strategic objectives. In addition, existing laws and regulations will be reviewed, harmonized, and aligned to support the One Health approach, ensuring legal coherence and removing barriers to effective implementation.