Laos: Media for One Health project launched in Vientiane

The Media for One Health project, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and implemented by CFI, in collaboration with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), aims to train 13 Laotian journalists to produce content in line with the One Health approach. 

Media for One Health: Forging a Healthier, More Sustainable Future for All

In Southeast Asia, human and animal densities are among the highest in the world. The pressure that societies exert on the environment (deforestation, urbanisation, transport), coupled with the consequences of global warming (droughts, typhoons, flooding), can have a major impact on health. This situation means that, rather than continuing to segregate environmental, veterinary and medical issues, we develop a more comprehensive vision of health that takes account of the interdependence between the environment, animal health and human health. This approach constitutes the “One Heath” concept.

However, this approach remains poorly understood by the populations and the media. The mission of the “Media for One Health” project is to strengthen media skills in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines, by training around 50 journalists in total and supporting the production of “One Health” content. 

The aim: Fostering Awareness through Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Community Engagement.

The project launch was attended by 61 representatives of political bodies, media outlets, international and civil society organisations, as well as numerous scientists and the 13 Laotian journalists selected to take part in this project. All gathered to take part in raising awareness on the One Health approach and how to operationalize it in the local setting.

Discussions during the conference centered around the “One Health” approach's relevance for Laos and its implementation within the ASEAN region. Dr. Daan Vink, a Veterinary Epidemiologist from the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD), and Professor Dr. Mayfong Mayxay, Vice-President of the Lao University of Health Sciences, and Head of the Field Research of the Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), addressed the importance of this approach in recognizing the interconnection between environmental, animal, and human health, and its effectiveness preventing health threats.  

Mr. Santi Saypanya, Country Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Ms. Souksaveuy Keotiamchanh, Founder of Zero Waste Laos, further emphasized the role of the media and civil society in raising awareness on One Health, particularly in the realms of animal and environmental health protection. 

Speaking at the conference, Dr. Daan Vink highlighted the growing significance of the One Health concept, especially in light of recent health challenges such as SARS, H1N1, MERS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 — all diseases of animal origin with far-reaching impacts on human health and the global economy. Professor Mayfong Mayxay emphasized the need for journalists to acquire both hard and soft skills to cover One Health issues effectively. On the technical side, knowledge in epidemiology, microbiology, and infectious diseases is crucial. In terms of soft skills, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving are essential for journalists to navigate a rapidly changing world.