Chad’s ‘One Health’ Approach Bridges Gaps, Delivers Essential Services to Nomadic Communities

In Chad’s vast and challenging landscapes, where nomadic communities traverse distances in pursuit of livelihoods, access to essential services often remains a critical hurdle. Yet, in settlements like Mandjafa on the outskirts of N’Djamena, a transformative approach is redefining healthcare delivery, bringing vital support directly to those previously underserved. This integrated strategy, known as ‘One Health,’ prioritizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being, proving particularly effective for Chad’s approximately 3.5% nomadic population.

Afia, a mother of five, exemplifies the profound impact of these tailored interventions. Accompanying her four-month-old daughter, Fatma, to a recent outreach activity in Mandjafa, she accessed crucial services that safeguard her family’s health. “Vaccines help keep my children healthy. As soon as they become ill, I take them to the health centre,” she shared, underscoring the importance of accessible preventive care for her mobile household.

For decades, conventional health programs struggled to effectively reach Chad’s nomadic communities. Their seasonal movements and remoteness from fixed health facilities meant limited access to critical vaccinations and treatments. Dr. Mahamat Béchir, National One Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, and Permanent Secretary of the platform, recalls, “Studies conducted in the early 2000s showed that access to vaccination was very limited in some nomadic communities. We realized that our strategies needed to be adapted to their way of life.”

The ‘One Health’ framework, adopted by the Chadian government, directly addresses this challenge by fostering collaboration across the health, livestock, environmental, and agricultural sectors. This inter-ministerial synergy allows for the simultaneous delivery of diverse services, maximizing reach and efficiency. Teams observed that livestock keepers already utilized veterinary services regularly; by integrating human health interventions for women and children into these existing channels, campaigns could reach more families with fewer trips.

A recent campaign in Mandjafa on June 9, 2026, vividly demonstrated this integrated model’s success. The initiative provided comprehensive services to 134 beneficiaries, including 11 children, alongside the vaccination of 96 animals. Beyond human and animal vaccinations, community members received essential preventive care such as vitamin A supplementation, deworming treatments, and insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

The benefits extend beyond immediate health, directly bolstering the livelihoods central to nomadic life. Youssouf Idriss, a local livestock keeper with sheep, cattle, and camels, articulated this connection: “My animals are essential to my family’s life. They provide us with food and income. Their health is therefore a priority for us.” By protecting livestock from disease, these joint campaigns secure the economic stability and nutritional well-being of entire families. Raphaël Neni, a veterinary officer with five years of field experience, confirmed the tangible improvements: “Since we strengthened vaccination activities, some diseases have become less common. Livestock keepers themselves can see the improvement in the health of their animals.”

Beyond individual and animal welfare, the ‘One Health’ approach plays a crucial role in strengthening public health security. By reducing diseases transmitted between animals and humans (zoonotic diseases), it mitigates broader health risks for communities. Dr. Béchir emphasized the contemporary relevance: “Health challenges can no longer be addressed by a single sector. Zoonotic diseases, climate change and environmental issues require close collaboration to better protect populations.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been a steadfast partner in these endeavors, providing multi-faceted support. This includes strengthening the national ‘One Health’ platform, assisting with International Health Regulations assessments, supporting the National Action Plan for Health Security, and building the capacity of key stakeholders. Dr. Tamadji Mbaïhol, who leads routine immunization activities at WHO in Chad and has worked with nomadic populations for nearly two decades, highlights their receptiveness: “Nomadic populations are receptive to health services. The challenge is reaching them where they are. When interventions are adapted to their reality, participation is strong.”

The ability to deliver multiple services during a single outreach activity is a cornerstone of the ‘One Health’ strategy, particularly vital for mobile communities. This success is built upon robust collaboration between different ministries and various technical and financial partners. Dr. Béchir acknowledged the pivotal role of external support: “WHO support has contributed to strengthening the One Health platform and consolidating collaboration across the sectors involved. This momentum now allows us to move forward together on shared public health priorities.”

As the teams continued their work in Mandjafa, Afia prepared to return home with Fatma, relieved to have accessed comprehensive care in a single visit. Her advice to other parents is straightforward and powerful: “When a child is sick, they should be taken to a health centre quickly. This helps protect them and keep them healthy.” In Chad, the ‘One Health’ approach is not just delivering services; it’s delivering hope and health directly to the heart of its nomadic communities, safeguarding both people and their vital herds.