Digital One Health: Emerging Digital Technology Trends as a Driver of One Health
As the digital revolution unfolds across Africa, the concept of Digital One Health is emerging as a cornerstone for addressing interconnected health challenges spanning human, animal, and environmental systems. At the Africa HealthTech Summit 2024 (AHTS2024), experts, policymakers, and tech leaders gathered to discuss how digital innovations can drive an integrated approach to health. This session, supported by GIZ’s One Health Data Alliance Africa Project, commissioned by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), highlighted transformative digital trends, collaborative frameworks, and the power of unified data.
Opening Remarks: Setting the vision for digital One Health
Dr. Mary Mbole Kariuki, opened the session by emphasizing the need for a holistic health approach. Reflecting on the words of Kofi Annan — “the combination of digital technology and human creativity will revolutionize life for Africa” — she called for action-oriented strategies that leverage AI, big data, and IoT to address Africa’s unique health needs. Dr. Kariuki underscored the potential of Digital One Health as not merely a solution but a shared vision to address emerging threats like zoonotic diseases and environmental degradation.
Hon. Halima Daudi on the role of Digital Health in Malawi’s One Health Vision
Representing Malawi, Hon. Halima Daudi, Deputy Minister of Health, outlined Malawi’s journey toward integrating One Health into its health system. She highlighted the importance of combining data from human, animal, and environmental health to predict and respond to diseases effectively. With AI-driven technologies and interoperable platforms, Malawi aims to enhance its surveillance capabilities, enabling data-informed decisions that anticipate public health threats. She stressed that One Health needs to go beyond traditional practices, encouraging collaboration between sectors and using AI and real-time data to build resilience against health risks in Malawi and beyond.
AI and Data Innovations in Cameroon’s Health Sector
Emmanuel Batoum, Head of IT at Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health, shared Cameroon’s strides in digital transformation. He discussed the integration of AI to improve disease surveillance, data collection, and environmental monitoring. Emmanuel highlighted how Cameroon leverages satellite technology and drones for environmental data collection, enabling a comprehensive approach to health risks. This combined data not only supports disease prevention but also empowers Cameroon’s health systems with actionable insights. “With AI,” he noted, “we can transform fragmented data into a cohesive picture of public health.”
AU-IBAR’s One Health Digital Platform: A Continental solution for Integrated Health
James Wabacha from AU-IBAR presented the African Union Digital One Health Platform, a pioneering initiative designed to unify health data from human, animal, and environmental sectors. This platform operates on a decentralized data mesh, allowing each health sector to maintain data ownership while contributing to a central repository. Wabacha explained that such an architecture encourages “domain-oriented data ownership” and enables cross-sector collaboration without compromising data integrity. The platform not only supports disease surveillance but also allows for robust analytics that can identify and address emerging health threats more effectively.
Rwanda’s progress in Digital Health Integration
Dr. Clarisse Musanabagnwa from the Rwanda Biomedical Center detailed Rwanda’s journey in using digital health to support the One Health agenda. Rwanda’s integrated health platforms, she noted, enable the government to collect real-time zoonotic disease data, enhance coordination across sectors, and respond swiftly to outbreaks. This infrastructure has proved vital in tracking health challenges ranging from Ebola to COVID-19, empowering Rwanda’s health agencies to act quickly and effectively. According to Dr. Musanabagnwa, the success of these digital platforms is rooted in cross-sector collaboration and commitment to continuous improvement.
IGAD’s framework for regional Data Interoperability
Speaking on regional cooperation, Dr. Kassa Afework from IGAD highlighted the importance of harmonized policies across member states for effective data sharing and interoperability. Dr. Afework emphasized that IGAD has been working on data-sharing frameworks that integrate human, animal, and environmental health data to create a unified response to health risks across borders. “By fostering a culture of cooperation among member states,” he explained, “we are building a resilient health infrastructure that leverages digital technologies for real-time, actionable insights.”
Malawi’s AI-Driven innovations in Animal Health
Dr. Julius Chulu, Director of Animal Health at Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture, offered a unique perspective on applying AI in veterinary services. Malawi uses AI and drones to monitor livestock health and track zoonotic diseases, an approach that has significantly improved animal health and mitigated risks of disease transmission to humans. AI-driven tools enable veterinarians to assess animal health data in real time, making informed decisions that help contain outbreaks and improve productivity in the agricultural sector. “The One Health approach,” he stated, “is not just about human health; it’s about creating a balanced ecosystem where animal and human health are interdependent.”
Cameroon’s digital engagement for community health awareness
Elisabeth Dibongue, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Cameroon’s Zoonosis Program, shared Cameroon’s efforts in engaging communities through digital platforms. The One Health platform in Cameroon uses a rumor management system to track and verify health-related information shared on social media. By training local bloggers and content creators, the program empowers communities to report suspicious health events accurately. Additionally, Cameroon is developing interoperable systems to aggregate health data across sectors, helping the country make informed decisions that are based on comprehensive, real-time information.
Jean Philbert Nsengimana: A call for unity and action
Wrapping up the session, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Chief Digital Advisor at Africa CDC, delivered an inspiring message on the importance of collaboration. Echoing the session’s theme, he emphasized that successful One Health solutions require Africa’s stakeholders to collaborate. He highlighted initiatives like the IHE workshop and the One Health Analytics session, underscoring the importance of practical collaboration. “Africa’s health security depends on breaking down data silos and fostering partnerships across sectors,” he noted. By working together, he asserted, Africa can harness the full potential of digital health to anticipate and manage public health threats.
The Path forward: A collaborative vision for digital One Health
This session underscored the immense potential of Digital One Health in creating a resilient, integrated health system for Africa. Each speaker highlighted the need for collective action, innovative technologies, and cross-sector data sharing to support Africa’s health security. With AI, big data, and IoT transforming disease surveillance, prevention, and response, the One Health approach promises a future where African countries are better equipped to protect both people and the environment.
The message from the session was clear: only by coming together, standing together, and walking together can we achieve the transformative goals of Digital One Health. As Africa leads the way in health security, the commitment to innovation, collaboration, and unified data standards will ensure a healthier future for generations to come.
