Dr Simon Doherty has been working tirelessly with Ripple Effect for 15 years, championing our One Health approach. He has just been announced as winner of the One Health category in the 2024 World Veterinary Association (WVA) Awards, which will take place in Cape Town in April.
Simon is currently a Senior Lecturer in education in animal health at Queen’s University, Belfast, in their School of Biological Sciences & Institute of Global Food Security.
He has long been a passionate advocate for the holistic One Health approach. As President of the British Veterinary Association he was the founding chair of the association’s UK One Health Coordination Group. He advanced this interdisciplinary approach in Europe as chair of the Food Safety & Sustainability Working Group for the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe.
“One Health recognises the interconnectedness of the health of people, animals and the environment,” says Simon.
“It enables the inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration that we urgently need to address the grand challenges of sustainable development, including hunger, poverty, the climate crisis and the need to tackle antimicrobial resistance.”
Simon has visited what were then Send a Cow projects twice: in southern Ethiopia and in western Kenya. “As I see it, Ripple Effect's work is One Health in action – doing all these things and also embracing gender empowerment, health & hygiene, sustainable agriculture and economic development."
One Health at the centre of Ripple Effect’s programmes
Meshark Sikuku, Ripple Effect’s Nairobi-based leader on Farm Systems and Sustainability concurs: “One Health is central to our mission to transform lives and protect the planet.
"African communities depend on their environment to get everything they need for their lives: clean and safe water, nutritious food, shelter, clean air, and the fodder to keep their livestock healthy."
Ripple Effect environmental training includes protecting ecosystems, regenerating degraded land and protecting soil health. Alternative pest control measures reduce the use of chemicals.
“Our action around human health includes promoting good nutrition and balanced diets, and also good hygiene and sanitation practices,"says Meshark.
“Sharing best practise on food handling is also vital: safe milk handling and post-harvest techniques to prevent contamination and spoiling ensures that contamination between people, their livestock and the environment is avoided.”
And the third health priority, says Meshark, is the care of livestock. "Good feed and housing, and the careful management of pests and diseases - with the support of government veterinary personnel - ensure that any occurrence of disease is detected and controlled as early as possible.”
In this way, says Meshark, Ripple Effect's work on three types of health build the One Health that Simon Doherty has helped to advocate for.
Want to hear good news stories from Africa, get involved in fantastic fundraising and be part of exciting events? Fill out your details below and we will keep you updated by email.