Bukachi, S.A.

Falzon, L.C.

Fèvre, Eric M.

Rushton, Jonathan

Thomas, Lian F.

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Integrated zoonotic disease surveillance in western Kenya: Opportunities and challenges within the context of resource constraintsThomas, L.F.*1,2, Rushton, J.1, Bukachi, S.A.3, Falzon, L.C. 1,2and  Fèvre, E.M.1,21Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK; 2 International Livestock Research Institute, Old Naivasha Road, PO BOX 30709, 00100-Nairobi, Kenya; 3University of Nairobi, Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi 00100, KenyaContact: lian.thomas@liverpool.ac.ukReferences1Mbabu et al. (2014)https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2014.19.106.4588 2Falzon et al. (2019) https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00252This document is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0  International Licence.November 2020The twin threats of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance require that data are collected, analysed and disseminated in a coordinated fashion across the human and animal health sectors. Kenya has been at the forefront of the One Health agenda in Africa with the inception of the Zoonotic Disease Unit in 20111. Despite this proactive step, there are delays in the adoption of these principles at the sub-national level, where, through devolved sub-national governments, resource allocation to disease surveillance occurs. Semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with 27 government disease surveillance officers from the human and animal health sectors in Busia, Bungoma and Kakamega counties where the ‘ZooLinK’ program was operating2. An inductive process of thematic analysis was used to identify themes relating to drivers of and barriers to inter-sectoral collaboration.MethodsTo explore the drivers of and barriers to operationalization of inter-sectoral collaboration within disease surveillance at the sub-national level in Kenya• Operationalization of integrated surveillance requires dedicated structures and resources• Political will at the sub-national level is needed to facilitate these changes• There must be alignment of national and international priorities with those at the sub-national level• Appropriate analysis and dissemination of surveillance data provide stimulus for continued investment• Common interests between sectors can be leveraged as entry points for strengthening collaborationAcknowledgementsConclusionsAimResultsAll key informants reported examples of when they had collaborated with their counterparts in the opposite ministry. We identified four over-arching yet interlinking themes relating to the drivers and barriers for greater cross-sectoral integration within disease surveillance. These were ‘common interests’ which can stimulate integrated actions if the enabling ‘operational structures’ are in place. These structures require‘appropriate resource’ which in turn require ‘political will’ to allocate. Background“…….we are 2 ministries so bringing people together requires resources”“…….It [county government] sees surveillance as an item that is eating the money without giving back”““…. these things  [communication] need to be structured, I cannot walk in and say the DVS has sent me here to discuss disease…..” “If we have cases of dog bites …..we will liaise with the veterinary officer” 

Integrated zoonotic disease surveillance in western Kenya: Opportunities and challenges within the context of resource constraints

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10568/110064/1/Zoonoses%20surveillance.pdf

Integrated zoonotic disease surveillance in western Kenya: Opportunities and challenges within the context of resource constraints

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