Ndjamena: In the nomadic settlement of Mandjafa, on the outskirts of NDjamena, Afia travelled with her four-month-old daughter, Fatma, to benefit from services provided during an integrated outreach activity for nomadic communities. For this mother of five, these interventions play an essential role in protecting her family's health.
According to African Press Organization, the One Health approach has been progressively implemented by the government to address the challenges faced by nomadic communities in Chad. This initiative integrates services from the health, livestock, environmental, and agricultural sectors to cater specifically to pastoral communities who account for roughly 3.5% of Chad's population.
In Mandjafa, on 9 June 2026, this approach facilitated the delivery of integrated services to 134 beneficiaries, including 11 children. The intervention combined human and animal vaccination, with 96 animals vaccinated, along with other preventive and health services, such as vitamin A supplementation, deworming treatment, and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Dr. Mahamat Béchir, National One Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention and Permanent Secretary of the platform, stated that the approach stemmed from evidence that nomadic communities were not adequately reached through conventional services. Studies from the early 2000s showed limited access to vaccination in these communities, necessitating adaptation of strategies to their lifestyle.
By integrating animal health interventions with services for women and children, teams managed to reach more families during a single campaign, reducing the number of trips required. The approach not only benefits families but also their livestock, as explained by Youssouf Idriss, a livestock keeper in Mandjafa, emphasizing the importance of animal health for his family's livelihood.
Raphaël Neni, a veterinary officer at the Ministry of Livestock, highlighted the improvements in animal health since the enhancement of vaccination activities, noting a decrease in the prevalence of certain diseases. This collaboration also mitigates the risk of diseases transmitted between animals and humans, strengthening community health security.
At the national level, the One Health platform coordinates efforts across various sectors to bolster prevention, surveillance, and response to health threats. Dr. Béchir emphasized the necessity for intersectoral collaboration to tackle health challenges like zoonotic diseases and climate change.
For years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the government's initiatives, aiding in the reinforcement of the One Health platform, conducting assessments, and implementing the National Action Plan for Health Security. Dr. Tamadji Mbaïhol, leading routine immunization activities at WHO in Chad, noted the receptiveness of nomadic populations to health services when adapted to their lifestyle.
The One Health approach's ability to deliver multiple services in a single outreach activity is a key advantage, especially in regions with mobile communities. This approach's implementation has relied on collaboration between ministries and technical and financial partners, with WHO support playing a crucial role.
As Afia prepared to return home with Fatma, she expressed a simple yet crucial piece of advice for other parents: promptly taking a sick child to a health center helps protect and maintain their health. In Mandjafa, the One Health approach is effectively bringing essential services closer to nomadic communities, safeguarding both human and animal health while supporting their livelihoods.