Bridging Silos: Enhancing Public Health Outcomes Through Zambia’s One Health Approach

Multisectoral coordination, as facilitated by the One Health approach, enhances health outcomes by ensuring comprehensive, coordinated, and timely responses to public health emergencies, thus safeguarding the health of people, animals, and ecosystems alike. In Zambia, the cascading approach to capacity building—where the national Advocacy, Communication, and Training Technical Working Group trains provincial levels, and then provincial levels train district levels—has proven effective in spreading knowledge and skills across government layers. This has empowered programs at different levels to implement risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities more efficiently. Additionally, formal structures with clear roles enhance accountability and coordination, with focal point persons representing key ministries, ensuring smooth communication and comprehensive representation. High-level leadership support, particularly in new provinces or districts, has been crucial for the successful implementation of RCCE activities.