Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, marked World Veterinary Day on Saturday by calling for stronger integration of human, animal, and environmental health systems under the "One Health" approach. Speaking at a national event themed "A Unified System for Sustainable Development" and organized by the Egyptian Veterinary Syndicate, Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of veterinarians to public health, animal welfare, and environmental protection. The event was attended by senior government officials, parliamentarians, local governors, and international representatives, including delegations from the UAE and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "Veterinarians are not just protectors of animal health—they are vital defenders of human health and environmental sustainability," said Abdel Ghaffar, aligning with this year's global theme, "Animal Health Requires a Team." Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, the minister noted that roughly 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic—transmitted from animals to humans—underscoring the need for coordinated, cross-sectoral disease control strategies. He pointed to Egypt's progress in operationalizing the "One Health" concept, particularly through the establishment of the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) in 2011. The center coordinates veterinary, epidemiological, and environmental surveillance efforts in partnership with the ministries of health, agriculture, and environment. Abdel Ghaffar also introduced Egypt's National One Health Strategic Framework (2023–2027), developed in collaboration with WHO and FAO. The framework targets key health threats including zoonotic disease outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and climate-related health risks, such as the spread of vector-borne diseases. "Including veterinarians in pandemic preparedness and response plans is no longer optional—it's essential," he stressed. He also emphasized the role of veterinary experts in early disease detection, food safety assurance, and epidemic control. The minister praised the work of Egyptian veterinary laboratories supporting the National Food Safety Authority, particularly in monitoring poultry, red meat, dairy, and fish. Referencing WHO statistics, he noted that foodborne diseases affect 1 in 10 people worldwide each year, leading to over 420,000 deaths. Abdel Ghaffar concluded by calling for deeper inter-ministerial and cross-sectoral collaboration to institutionalize the "One Health" model through practical policies, capacity-building, and international partnerships.
