Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, while lacking a comprehensive national One Health coordinating body, has made significant strides in addressing One Health concerns. Since 2009, the Zimbabwean Zoonoses Initiative has fostered collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development (MoA). For the past 15 years, research at the wildlife/livestock/human interface has been conducted through the Production and Conservation in Partnership platform, often in areas sharing protected and communal lands in partnership with Cirad. More recently, a Fleming Fund project focused on combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) within a One Health framework has spurred the creation of a One Health office, encompassing representatives from the MoA, Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Water, and MoHCC. Initially centered on AMR, the office aspires to expand its scope to other One Health topics. The University of Zimbabwe, supported by the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, serves as the COHESA multiplier, advancing One Health initiatives in the country and led by Gift Matope.