By AFROHUN Tanzania Team
One Health Focal Persons (OHFPs) in Tanzania are in-service personnel working in government departments and public institutions in human health, animal health and environmental sectors who were selected and appointed to represent their workplaces in One Health issues so that they can report to the Prime Minister’s Office One Health Coordination Desk (OHCD) and share experiences in the One Health area and how they use the One Health approach in solving complex health problems.
The Focal Persons represent their workplaces in advocating for One Health approaches and linking them to the OHCD. These individuals were appointed by a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office which directed the workplaces to appoint a person best positioned to represent the workplace, with their Terms of Reference specified in the letter of appointment.
In terms of linkages with AFROHUN work, the Focal Persons, know AFROHUN and the work we do, they support AFROHUN activities when the activities are relevant to them, and they are members of One Health Technical working groups where AFROHUN is represented. Very important to AFROHUN is that the OHFPs from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) are already integrated into AFROHUN’s work. Others are from Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and Environmental Council under the Vice President’s Office.
The sensitization conducted for them was to heighten their understanding and critical appraisal of emerging pandemic threats and the One Health approach. When they were recruited, they were not sensitized about these issues and were also not aware about their responsibilities. AFROHUN was therefore requested to sensitize and orient them into these issues. The focus was to share experiences in the One Health arena and to plan on how to continue networking with each other and with the OHCD.
Conducted in Morogoro, the sensitization workshop was organized by the Prime Minister’s Office (One Health Coordination Desk-OHCD), with facilitators from MUHAS and Sokoine University.
The workshop objectives were 1) Sensitize One Health Focal Persons (OHFPs) on AFROHUN and Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPTs) and OH approach; 2) Orient OHFPs about formation, structure and functioning of OHCD; 3) Discuss historical aspects of OHFPs and expected roles and responsibilities, and 4) Deliberate on best working relationship between OHCD and OHFPs.
Participants were from AFROHUN, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), OHCD, Director of Preventive Services Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC), Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, SUA, President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORARLG), WHO, FAO, ministries, government agencies and public institutions.
Participants found the workshop to be of interest as they acquired adequate information from the presentations regarding OH. It was also revealed that bringing together OHFPs was useful as it was possible to exchange ideas in plenary and during group discussions.
In terms of moving forward after the training, participants suggested to OHCD to: carry out stock taking/inventory for existing OHFPs and establish a database which will include CVs and other particulars; initiate and write to sectors/institutions to appoint OHFPs based on professional background, experiences and participation in OH programs (the letter should have a brief overview of OH; describe the roles and responsibilities of the OHFP; and seek to include OHFP responsibilities into his/her job description); effectively and frequently communicate and work closely with OHFPs; and establish a feedback mechanism for day to day activities performed by the OHFPs. They also recommended to hold quarterly meetings between OHCD and OHFPs; develop reporting tools (Quarterly reporting from OHFPs to OHCD); evaluating the implementation of OH Strategic plan, and identifying lessons learned.
