VOHUN Joins National One Health Platform

Vietnam One Health University Network joined the One Health Partnership for Zoonoses (OHP) that was officially signed on March 23, 2021. National and international partners joined hands for the second phase of the OHP framework to improve multi-sectoral collaboration in preventing potential outbreaks and strengthen Viet Nam’s current efforts at controlling zoonotic diseases (the diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans).

The OHP is now in its second phase, covering the period of 2021 – 2025. Its main objectives are: 1) to reduce the risk of animal to human transmission of microorganisms that can cause disease, and 2) to address antimicrobial resistance through enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration using the One Health approach. The global outbreak of coronavirus disease has brought the spotlight on the potential catastrophic consequences of emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases originating from domestic or wild animals. The One Health is of the most effective approaches in addressing complex global health issues, as it emphasizes the need for coordination between human, animal and ecosystem health sectors and strengthens collaboration capacities of the key players. The One Health Partnership Framework on Zoonotic Disease Prevention is designed to increase the sustainability of One Health partnership in Vietnam, to support Vietnam's commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) through 2024 and advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in the country. The One Health partners plan to organize a national One Health forum in Vietnam annually.

The organizations who joined included the national Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Health, as well as the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Livestock Research Institute, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the World Health Organization.