Over 60% of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) affecting humans have animal origins, with the majority originating from wildlife. Diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza, Nipah virus, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) continue to loom large, impacting not only health but various sectors. Addressing these complex health challenges requires a holistic One Health approach that considers the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental factors.
Leading the One Health Initiative, the Quadripartite Organizations – WHO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) – jointly developed the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA). This plan provides a solid foundation for action, with a focus on enhancing collaboration, communication, capacity building, and coordination across all sectors to fortify health security.
To adapt this plan to local circumstances, WHO and FAO collaborated with the Government of Indonesia to develop an Indonesia-specific OH JPA. From May through to August 2023, stakeholders from the ministries of health, agriculture, environment, home affairs, development planning; the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Cultural Affairs; and professional associations gathered to customize the plan.
The Indonesia One Health Joint Plan of Action Joint promotes training and capacity building involving authorities from the human, animal and wildlife sectors. Credit: WHO/Endang Wulandari
WHO and FAO facilitated these discussions and introduced the Quadripartite OH JPA and provided guidance tailoring it to the Indonesian context. Its early stages focused on three areas: health systems strengthening through enhancing One Health, reduction of risks of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic epidemics and pandemics, and control and elimination of endemic zoonotic, neglected tropical, and vector-borne diseases.
Stakeholders proposed to include activities under the Indonesia OH JPA such as assessing human resource needs, creating advocacy materials, updating guidelines, and establishing committees for zoonotic EIDs. Efforts also focus on operationalising OH JPA, updating biodiversity standards, and improving integrated surveillance. Training programmes, workshops on risk communication, and pandemic severity assessments will contribute to reducing risks. The plan will also address endemic zoonotic diseases through guideline updates, integrated control efforts, wastewater treatment, and documenting best practices. Overall, the OH JPA presents a dynamic strategy for fortifying Indonesia’s health resilience.
Dr Imran Pambudi, Director of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health (MoH), emphasised, “Effective and optimal zoonosis prevention and control requires collaborative efforts using a One Health approach, involving the human, animal, wildlife, and environmental sectors. The adoption of the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action in the Indonesian context will systematically harmonise joint work plans and resources.”
WHO and FAO conveyed principle of One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) during a multisectoral meeting on 10-11 August 2023. Credit: WHO/Endang Wulandari
The Ministry of Health intends to expand the OH JPA to also include food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and environmental considerations into the plan. The final OH JPA is slated to be finalized by mid-2024.
Once finalized, this plan of action will be a valuable input to be integrated into the government of Indonesia's midterm and long-term strategic planning. It serves as a crucial step towards fortifying health security against emerging threats and building a resilient health infrastructure in alignment with the health transformation agenda.
WHO has also provided technical inputs and support for Indonesia to push for One Health action beyond the country. Indonesia's leadership in the G20 has further advanced the adoption of the One Health Joint Plan of Action as a blueprint for action, enabling countries and stakeholders to fortify collaboration and mainstream the One Health approach at all levels. Furthermore, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leader Declaration on the One Health Initiative in August 2023 endorsed the development of the ASEAN One Health Joint Plan of Action, fostering collaboration across human, animal, plant, and environmental health among the ASEAN member states.
This activity is supported by the US Government, though USAID, and the Australian Government.
Written by Endang Wulandari, National Professional Officer (Epidemiologist), WHO Indonesia.