One Health, A Must for the World

The problems of global health lately have become more difficult and complicated. Decrease in nature’s support capacity is a major factor causing such complexity. Therefore, every health issue must be addressed seriously and must involve all components related to the issue. To answer the challenges above, Prof. Joann Lindenmayer, teaching staff of Tufts University, introduced the “One Health” concept in a seminar at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bogor Agricultural University (FKH IPB) on June 17th, 2008. Prof Joann stated that the One Health issue had become an international issue. At the seminar she had openly elaborated the One Health concept, from its History, Application, and Challenges.

From the history of global health, we could learn from what Rudolph Virchow has once said. At the time, Virchow said that Veterinarians and Physicians are one, nothing separates them. “This is because both of their roles in maintaining global health are fundamental,” said Prof. Joann.
The effort to introduce the One Medicine concept has been started by Jean Mayer (Tufts University). It was done by improving the basic study fields of Physicians, Dentists, and Veterinarians. From there, Mayer found a connection between the three and then developed a concept that united all of the medical elements above.
The urge for change in the one medicine concept has become stronger with the emerging of infectious diseases such as Hanta virus and E. coli (0157:H7) in 1993, West Nile virus (1999), Monkeypox (2003) and plague; also with the threat of bioterrorism, environmental disaster, xenotranplantation, and the importance of food production.
In facing the challenges of global health, physicians and veterinarians could not work alone. Cooperation and collaboration between the two is necessary to overcome the challenges. Unfortunately, it seems that in many institutions in some developed countries the role of veterinarians is in no better condition than in underdeveloped countries.
Poor involvement of veterinarians in various government institutions makes it difficult for veterinarians to contribute in developing health in their country. Actually there are many roles that should be done by veterinarians and physicians together, such as surveillance, building communication, research, disease eradication programs, and policy development.
The One Health concept was initiated by leaders of the Medical Association and Veterinary Medical Association of America. The statement was made together with the goal to fight against food-borne disease and to prevent inter-species infection.
In conclusion, Prof Jeann emphasized that to face threats against global health, physicians and veterinarians must work together in clinical issues, public health issues and research settings. Dr. Wayan T Wibawan, Dean of FKH-IPB said that what Prof. Joann had presented was inline with the motto of Indonesian Veterinarians, ”Manusya mriga satwa sewaka” which means “Create human welfare through animal welfare”.

By: Drh Saptono AM  and Drh Agus Jaelani