The University of Namibia (UNAM), through UNAM Cares, in close partnership with Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine, RoshSkor, and Rosh Pinah Health Care Centre, recently successfully conducted One Health in Action Interventions in Rosh Pinah town. The One Health in Action Initiative brought together industry partners, community members, town authorities, healthcare professionals, veterinarians, environmental health practitioners, and educators to promote healthier and more resilient communities.
One Health is a collaborative approach that recognises that the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment is interconnected. By working across disciplines and sectors, communities can better prevent disease outbreaks, improve food security and nutrition, promote sustainable environmental health, protect natural resources, and build sustainable livelihoods.
For mining communities such as Rosh Pinah, the One Health approach is especially important, because mining activities can influence environmental health quality, water resources, food systems, and human and animal health. Addressing these challenges requires collective action, raising awareness on sustainable health practices, community participation, and responsible environmental stewardship. These interventions in the spirit of Ubuntu—”I am because we are“—encouraged residents to work together in maintaining clean environments, practising responsible pet ownership, supporting food production initiatives, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening community resilience. It highlighted risks associated with heavy-metal exposure, such as lead, and encouraged cooperation among local stakeholders.
Activities included free human health screenings of 150 residents in Rosh Pinah by the Sidadi Clinic and Rosh Pinah Medical Centre.
A total of 38 dogs and 2 cats were vaccinated against rabies, 72 dogs and 4 cats were dewormed, and 20 wound cases were treated during a collaborative partnership between Veterinarians from UNAM School of Veterinary Medicines and the Animal Health Technician from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Land and Rural Development based in the Karas region.
The local community also benefitted from free public health education on the interconnectedness of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, environmental health protection, and food safety. The event highlighted the importance of cooperation among public health professionals, veterinarians, environmental scientists, educators, policymakers, community leaders, and other specialists. Community engagement was identified as essential because residents understand the social and environmental conditions that may affect their health.
It furthermore featured astronomy education shows presented by the UNAM Africa Millimeter Telescope Mobile Planetarium team. The mobile planetarium provided an engaging opportunity for 187 community members and learners to learn about astronomy and explore the wonders of the universe. The activity added an edutaining dimension to the One Health initiative by promoting scientific knowledge, curiosity and interest in science-related fields.
Prof. Rachel Freeman, Head of UNAM Cares emphasized that sustainable solutions cannot be imposed through top-down approaches – instead, communities must help to co-design and implement sustainable interventions.
Prof Yabe, furthermore, encouraged residents to work together to protect human health, animal welfare, the environment from lead exposure for better health of all.
The Rosh Pinah One Health in Action Interventions, furthermore, reaffirmed that strong partnerships between universities, industries, communities, government, and civil society are essential for creating healthier people, healthier animals, healthier plants, and a healthier environment for present and future generations.
For more information, or fostering collaborative partnerships, contact Prof Rachel Freeman, Head of UNAM, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Namibia at email: rfreeman@unam.na
