Strengthening One Health in West Africa: need for collaboration and exchange opportunities among veterinary schools

¹Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, ²Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

^&Corresponding author
Derrick Adu Asare, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

Essay    

The health of humans, animals, and the environment is intrinsically interconnected which is a concept encapsulated by the One Health approach [1-3]. In West Africa, this interdependence is particularly evident due to the region's rich biodiversity, high reliance on livestock, and the prevalence of zoonotic diseases such as Ebola, Lassa fever, and avian influenza [4,5]. As mentioned by Butler et al. [6], as globalization accelerates and environmental changes intensify, the risks posed by emerging infectious diseases continue to grow, underscoring the urgent need for integrated health strategies. Veterinary medicine stands at the forefront of this endeavour, serving as a critical bridge between human health and environmental stewardship [7]. To this end, Veterinary schools in West Africa are uniquely positioned to contribute to the One Health paradigm by training professionals who can address complex health challenges, conduct essential research, and engage with communities to promote sustainable practices [8-11]. However, maximizing this potential requires a thorough understanding of the current state of veterinary education as previously hinted by Swan et al. [12], its historical evolution, the opportunities it presents, the challenges it faces, and role in the success of One health implementation. This article explores the landscape of veterinary medicine training in West Africa, tracing its historical roots and evaluating the outputs of veterinary schools across the region. It highlights the vast opportunities within the field, from combating zoonotic diseases to supporting food security and economic development. At the same time, it acknowledges the significant challenges that hinder progress, including limited funding, infrastructural deficits, and a shortage and skewed spread of qualified personnel. By examining these facets, the article aims to underscore the critical need for enhanced collaboration among veterinary institutions and One Health stakeholders, as well as the importance of securing funding opportunities. Ultimately, it advocates for strategic actions that can strengthen the One Health collaboration in West Africa, fostering a future where human, animal, and environmental health are collectively advanced.

Overview of veterinary medicine training in West Africa

The history of veterinary medicine in West Africa is deeply rooted in the region's socio-economic and environmental evolution [13]. Before European colonization, indigenous knowledge systems played a central role in animal care, with traditional healers using herbal remedies to manage livestock diseases [14]. These practices were integral to the livelihoods of agrarian communities, ensuring the survival of herds and the stability of local economies [15]. Veterinary medicine in West Africa serves as a critical pillar for addressing public health, ensuring food security, and fostering economic development [16]. The region's reliance on livestock for sustenance and income underscores the importance of veterinary services in safeguarding animal health and productivity [17]. As the demand for livestock and animal products continues to grow, veterinary training institutions play a pivotal role in developing the human capacity required to address emerging health challenges associated with the unique transhuman and extensive livestock management indigenous to West Africa [18]. These veterinary institutions are at the forefront of equipping professionals with the knowledge and requisite skills necessary to combat zoonotic diseases, promote sustainable livestock practices, and contribute to the overarching goals of the One Health framework [10,12,19].

The region's veterinary education landscape is diverse, with institutions varying in size, focus, and resource availability [14]. Despite these variations, the collective aim remains consistent: to produce highly skilled professionals who can effectively address challenges associated with livestock production [14]. Most of the veterinary schools are traditionally located in the Faculty of Agriculture, which often presents the training of veterinarians with less focus on the intertwined health challenges of humans, animals, and the environment [20]. This leads to a predominant emphasis on livestock management and disease control while often neglecting the broader public health, environmental, and zoonotic aspects central to the One Health agenda. This focus has resulted in a workforce that lacks the skills needed to effectively address the interconnected health challenges facing the region [21]. The increasing recognition of veterinary medicine's role in public health has currently elevated its importance in West Africa´s development agenda however, the consciousness of this role and the planning to explore the opportunities need to be well understood by the veterinarians and University administrators in West African Universities. Today, veterinary education in West Africa reflects both its historical roots and contemporary demands. The shift from disease control to a broader focus on public health, food security, and zoonotic diseases demonstrates the evolving priorities of the profession in response to regional and global health challenges. This paradigm shift needs awareness, planning, and strategic funding to prepare the region's critical masses of health professionals for future outbreaks.

The introduction of modern veterinary medicine during the colonial era marked a significant shift in the practice [15]. European administrators, recognizing the economic value of livestock, established veterinary services to control diseases such as Rinderpest and Trypanosomiasis. Training schools for paraveterinary professionals were founded in strategic locations like Jos, Nigeria, and Pong-Tamale, Ghana, to meet the growing demand for expertise in animal health at this period [22,23]. These efforts laid the groundwork for formal veterinary education in the region, which expanded post-independence with the establishment of universities and regional veterinary schools such as the École Inter-États des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires (EISMV) in Senegal [24] as shown in Figure 1 below. The establishment of veterinary schools in West Africa reveals a notable geographic and linguistic distribution skewness, as reflected in the map (Figure 1). This skewness in geographic distribution clearly highlights the disparities among Anglophone countries such as Nigeria and Ghana, and Francophone nations like Senegal. Nigeria has numerous veterinary schools spread across the country, providing broader access to veterinary education, while Ghana has only a few, which limits its capacity to train sufficient veterinary professionals. In contrast, Senegal hosts a prominent regional institution, which is the École Inter-États des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires (EISMV) and in Guinea, the Higher Institute of Science and Veterinary Medicine of Dalaba serves as a key veterinary medicine educational hub for Francophone countries in West Africa. This uneven distribution, both geographically and linguistically, creates barriers to achieving a unified One Health approach, limiting efforts to address complex, multi-sectoral health challenges such as zoonotic diseases, public health issues, and environmental sustainability in the sub-region.

Opportunities in veterinary medicine education

Despite these challenges, veterinary medicine in West Africa presents numerous opportunities that, if harnessed effectively, could significantly enhance the region´s health and development outcomes.

Academic continuity and one health practice

The academic landscape offers scope for growth through the expansion of veterinary schools, as highlighted previously by Brown et al. [25]. The introduction of specialized training programs and partnerships with established international institutions will aid knowledge transfer and training of the critical mass needed for pandemic control. This gap will necessitate strategic continuing education and professional development, as highlighted by Gates et al. [26], which can further enhance the capacity of veterinarians to address complex health challenges commonly encountered in West Africa. Currently, Nigeria's Veterinary Medical practice has made remarkable strides towards establishing a robust and legalized One Health system, which emphasizes integrated healthcare approaches for human, animal, and environmental health. The One Health framework in Nigeria is supported by well-defined policies with legal backing, enabling effective disease surveillance, prevention, and response through coordinated efforts among medical, veterinary, and environmental experts. Additionally, the country offers a well-structured Veterinary Fellowship program aimed at continuous education for veterinary professionals, enhancing their skills and knowledge to tackle emerging challenges effectively [26,27].

In Senegal, it is worth mentioning that a One Health consultation and governance framework (called the National High Council for Global Health Security-One Health) has been set up at the Prime Minister's Office for better multisectoral coordination. This framework is a place for co-learning and co-construction of One Health operationalization methods by the actors in implementing it [28]. Meanwhile, Ghana is also progressing towards a fully established One Health system, with efforts being made to legalise and integrate this approach through collaboration among health sectors. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Veterinary Medicine plays a pivotal role by offering postgraduate programs in One Health, equipping veterinary professionals with advanced education and research capabilities. Compared to other West African countries, Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana stand out in their efforts to institutionalize One Health and provide continuous professional development opportunities. Their progress highlights a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of health and the importance of specialized training for veterinary practitioners and is worth emulating for the sub-region to enhance a more sustained veterinary training for a stronger One Health system.

Research opportunities and international collaborations

Research opportunities abound, particularly in the study of tropical diseases such as monkeypox, Marburg virus, and other zoonoses endemic to the region. The integration of indigenous knowledge with modern veterinary practices presents a unique avenue for developing culturally appropriate and effective health interventions. Innovations in biotechnology and genomics hold promise for improving livestock breeds, disease resistance, and productivity. International collaborations open doors for West African countries to contribute to global health initiatives, such as controlling transboundary animal diseases, improving food security, and responding to pandemics. Partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) can enhance regional capabilities, as observed in the coordination of the response to Anthrax in Ghana, which goes a long way to foster knowledge exchange [29]. In the spirit of collaborations for One Health realisation, WHO/CDC and FAO have developed the Field Epidemiology Training Program and In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training in Senegal through capacity building of human, animal, and environmental health professionals [30].

In Ghana, the School of Veterinary Medicine at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has successfully collaborated with the German-West African Centre for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention (G-WAC) within the same College of Health Sciences. The centre collaborates with the Technical University of Berlin, Charité-University of Medicine Berlin and the University of Bonn, Germany. This collaboration has played a pivotal role in offering postgraduate programs in One Health as well as postgraduate student exchange opportunities to Germany to equip students with advanced research capabilities. In furtherance, the emergence of telemedicine and mobile veterinary services provides innovative solutions for extending veterinary care to remote and underserved areas in the African setting, which hitherto has not been the case.

Emerging fields of veterinary practice

Emerging fields in veterinary practice in West Africa are significantly expanding career opportunities and positioning the profession as a vital contributor to sustainable development and biodiversity preservation. Areas like wildlife conservation have become essential, with veterinarians working to protect endangered species, prevent disease outbreaks, and ensure the health of wildlife in national parks and reserves such as in Nigeria [27]. Eco-tourism, a growing industry across Africa, benefits from veterinary expertise to manage the health and welfare of animals in wildlife tourism settings, ensuring the sustainability of these ecosystems. Additionally, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary medicine is revolutionizing diagnostics, disease modelling, and disease surveillance, enabling more efficient and proactive care, particularly in livestock management and zoonotic disease prevention. These advancements, combined with disease modelling, where veterinarians collaborate in forecasting and controlling outbreaks, broaden the scope of veterinary practice, establishing it as a key player in addressing global health and environmental challenges across the sub-region.

Challenges in veterinary medicine education

Despite its critical importance, veterinary medicine in West Africa faces numerous challenges that impede its development and effectiveness.

Geographical disparities

Geographical disparities in the availability of veterinary services leave rural areas underserved, exacerbating health inequities and reducing access to critical interventions. Workforce shortages and skewness in the production of veterinarians further complicate service delivery, with many countries lacking sufficient numbers of qualified veterinarians to meet the growing demands of livestock health and public health needs.

Funding challenges

Inadequate funding is another major hurdle, affecting the ability of veterinary schools to provide quality education and conduct cutting-edge research. Many institutions operate with outdated infrastructure, including laboratories and clinical facilities, which hampers practical training and innovation [14]. Additionally, socio-economic and cultural barriers, such as language differences, nepotism, and tribalism, pose significant challenges to the profession´s accessibility and equity.

Inadequate collaboration

The lack of collaboration among veterinary institutions in the region is a notable impediment to progress. This limitation restricts the sharing of resources, expertise, and best practices, which are essential for addressing transboundary health challenges [14]. Without coordinated efforts, the potential of veterinary medicine to contribute to public health, food security, and economic development remains underutilized. Addressing these challenges requires systemic interventions, including increased investment, policy reform, and fostering regional and international partnerships.

Recommendations

To address the challenges and maximize the opportunities in veterinary practice in enhancing and strengthening the One Health System, several recommendations have been suggested and discussed appropriately under the subheadings below.

Strengthening paraveterinary training

Expanding training programs for paraveterinary professionals is critical to bridging workforce gaps, especially in underserved rural areas. Establishing regional centres for paraveterinary education will ensure consistent and high-quality training across countries.

Fostering anglophone-francophone exchange programs

Encouraging student exchange programs between Anglophone and Francophone veterinary schools can promote knowledge sharing and cross-cultural collaboration. These initiatives can help bridge language and technical gaps, fostering a more unified approach to addressing regional challenges.

Veterinary faculty exchange programs

Facilitating faculty exchanges between universities will enhance teaching quality and research capacity. Faculty mobility will enable the sharing of best practices, exposure to different teaching methodologies, and the development of collaborative research projects. Leveraging programs like ERASMUS+ to foster inter-university partnerships can enhance resource sharing, joint curriculum development, and collaborative research. Such initiatives can elevate the quality of veterinary education and provide students and faculty with international exposure.

Enhancing infrastructure and funding

Governments and international partners should prioritize investments in veterinary school infrastructure, including laboratories, teaching hospitals, and research facilities. Increased funding will support cutting-edge research and improve the overall quality of education.

Advancing One Health integration

The veterinary curricula should incorporate comprehensive One Health training to prepare graduates for multidisciplinary collaborations. This integration will strengthen the profession´s role in addressing public health and environmental challenges.

Encouraging regional and international partnerships

Collaborations with global organizations such as the FAO, WHO, and OIE can provide technical and financial support for capacity building, research, and disease control initiatives. Regional partnerships can facilitate the harmonization of policies and coordinated responses to health crises.

Conclusion     

Veterinary medicine plays a crucial role in advancing One Health in West Africa by addressing public health challenges, improving food security, and supporting economic growth. However, challenges such as limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient collaboration hinder its full potential. To overcome these barriers, governments must prioritize increased funding for veterinary schools, infrastructure, and research facilities. Expanding paraveterinary training, fostering faculty and student exchange programs, and leveraging inter-university collaborations like ERASMUS+ are essential steps to strengthen education and research capacity. Partnerships with global organizations and regional stakeholders can complement government efforts, ensuring sustainable development. With strategic government investment and coordinated regional actions, veterinary medicine can drive progress in human, animal, and environmental health across West Africa, fostering resilience and sustainable growth.

Competing interests     

The authors declare no competing interests.

Authors' contributions     

Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe was responsible for conceptualizing the study and designing the methodology. Derrick Adu Asare, Prince Nana Takyi and Clifford Beyeeman Davies were responsible for data collection, reviews, and drafting the original manuscript. Folitse Raphael Deladem Folitse was responsible for reviewing the manuscript draft. All authors contributed to reviewing and editing the manuscript. They have read and approved the final version of this manuscript.

Figure     

Figure 1: map showing the distribution of veterinary schools and their locations in West Africa

References