Veterinary Experts Urge Lagos to Embrace ‘One Health’ to Combat Public Health Threats

 In a significant move to strengthen health systems and address growing public health risks, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos Chapter, has urged the Lagos State Ministry of Health to fully adopt the 'One Health' approach—a model that unites human, animal, and environmental health responses.

The appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, at his Alausa-Ikeja office on Tuesday. The NVMA delegation, led by its Chairman, Dr. Ofua Mark, included respected veterinary professionals such as Dr. Olatunji Nasir, Immediate Past President of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association.

Dr. Mark giving his remark said, "We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals and humans. This is about protecting the health and well-being of Lagosians through unified action."

The association raised concerns over alarming findings of antimicrobial-resistant organisms in bushmeat and wildlife across the state. These developments, they warned, could escalate into widespread health crises if not urgently addressed.

The NVMA team reaffirmed its readiness to support the state government through:

• Public health awareness campaigns

• Mass animal vaccination programs

• Professional training and capacity building

• Support for regulatory enforcement

According to a news release from the Lagos Ministry of Health, the delegation also included Dr. Victor Onehi; Dr. Bernard Oluoha; Dr. Okoro Calista; Dr. Alao Mobolaji; Dr. Anu Durodola-Brown and Dr. Bobadoye, COO of GET Africa.

In his response, the Health Commissioner, Prof. Abayomi welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the importance of integrating veterinary expertise into the state’s health strategy.

"We need to incorporate animal health surveillance into our systems. The One Health principle is critical,” he noted.

He revealed ongoing collaborations with the World Bank to improve disease surveillance and diagnosis, and suggested leveraging the State Health Information Platform (SHIP) to create a veterinary data module.

Prof. Abayomi advised NVMA to coordinate with senior Ministry staff, particularly Dr. Theophilous Ajayi (Environmental Health) and Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam (Epidemiology, Biosecurity & Global Health), and proposed a follow-up meeting within three months to review progress.

Dr. Abdus-Salam shared that Lagos had previously led cross-sectoral One Health responses, including during the anthrax outbreak, and secured critical funding through coordinated efforts.

However, he flagged the challenge of data access and siloed systems across ministries: “We can’t afford to keep environmental data locked away. Pollution data, for instance, is crucial to informing proactive public health actions.”