Chad’s Integrated Health Outreach Empowers Nomadic Communities BODY: N’Djamena, Chad – On the outskirts of the capital, N’Djamena, the nomadic settlement of Mandjafa hosts an integrated health outreach effort that has become pivotal for families like Afia’s. With her four-month-old daughter, Fatma, in tow, Afia sought services at an event tailored for nomadic populations. These interventions are crucial for maintaining her family’s health, as Afia explains: “Vaccines keep my children healthy, and I take them to the health center as soon as they’re ill. “.
In Chad, pastoralism is central to many nomadic households, and seasonal movements make access to healthcare facilities challenging. With only around 3. 5% of the country’s population being nomadic, reaching these families has been a significant challenge.
The government has been addressing this by implementing the One Health approach, a strategy that combines the health, livestock, environmental, and agricultural sectors to cater to pastoral communities’needs.
On June 9, 2026, Mandjafa saw the One Health approach in action, delivering services to 134 beneficiaries, including 11 children. This event included both human and animal vaccinations, with 96 animals vaccinated, as well as vitamin A supplementation, deworming treatment, and insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Dr.
Mahamat Béchir, the National One Health Coordinator, underscores the approach’s roots in evidence showing inadequate vaccination access in some nomadic communities. “We realized that our strategies needed to be adapted to their way of life, “he said noting the synergies between animal health interventions and services for women and children, which increases the number of families reached without excessive travel. For Youssouf Idriss, a livestock keeper and father of a sheep, cattle, and camel herd, the approach’s benefits are clear. “.
My animals are essential to my family’s life, “he said emphasizing that their health is crucial for the family’s well-being and livelihood. Raphaël Neni, a veterinary officer with the Ministry of Livestock, has seen the impact firsthand. “Since we strengthened vaccination activities, some diseases have become less common, “he noted, highlighting the importance of these joint campaigns for improving preventive services access.
At the national level, the One Health platform coordinates actions across sectors, addressing zoonotic diseases, climate change, and environmental issues through cross — sectoral collaboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported Chad’s efforts over the years, with Dr. Tamadji Mbaïhol, who leads routine immunization activities at WHO in Chad, noting the communities’willingness to utilize health services when they align with their lifestyle.
The One Health approach’s ability to integrate multiple services during a single outreach event is particularly impactful for communities on the move. Collaborations between various ministries and partners have been fundamental to the approach’s success.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: World Health Organization
