ADAFSA Launches One Health Biosecurity Programme To Integrate Health Sectors In Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has recently unveiled its 'One Health' biosecurity programme, a strategic initiative aimed at fostering the integration of human, animal, plant health, and environmental well-being. This programme aligns with the directives of Abu Dhabi's leadership and adheres to the global standards set in the Joint International Action Plan on the One Health Approach for 2022-2026. The announcement came during a workshop last week, which saw participation from key international bodies under the United Nations umbrella such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), alongside various federal and local government agencies.

The One Health Biosecurity Programme is a testament to Abu Dhabi's commitment to cross-sectoral collaboration, aiming to safeguard community health and environmental sustainability. It proposes an effective monitoring system for tracking health conditions across different sectors, developing preventive strategies to curb disease spread, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.

Comprising eight pivotal initiatives, the programme seeks to establish a comprehensive surveillance system that monitors health conditions within human, animal, plant, and environmental domains in Abu Dhabi. It emphasizes data analysis for risk identification, implementation of preventive and corrective actions, and policy development to mitigate disease transmission. Furthermore, it aims at bolstering awareness about biosecurity requirements, educating and training personnel on best practices for natural resource conservation, including efficient water and energy utilization.

Facilitating sectoral integration across health, agriculture, environment, industry, and education is another core objective. This involves enhancing data and information exchange among stakeholders to craft cohesive plans that align with the strategic goals of the initiative. Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Deputy Director-General for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs at ADAFSA, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in advancing biosecurity concepts. She underscored ADAFSA's partnerships with global organizations like WHO, WOAH, FAO, and UNEP in sharing expertise and best practices in biosecurity.

Al Muhairi also introduced the "One Health Committee - Abu Dhabi", a steering committee responsible for overseeing the programme's development, monitoring its progress, and guiding technical working groups based on the One Health Approach requirements. The anticipated outcomes of these initiatives include improved public health standards, enhanced food security systems, and better sustainability of natural resources. These efforts are in line with Abu Dhabi's vision of securing a prosperous future for upcoming generations.

The workshop concluded with international organizations reaffirming their support for Abu Dhabi's pioneering role in implementing One Health practices. They committed to promoting these practices at regional and international levels. Representatives from federal and local authorities also pledged their support for the programme, aiming to position Abu Dhabi as a model in biosecurity and One Health globally.

With inputs from WAM