One Health approach strengthens health services for Chad’s nomadic families

In the heart of Chad’s capital region, the Mandjafa nomadic camp lies on the outskirts of N’Djamena. Here, Afia arrived with her four-month-old daughter Fatma, seeking care during a integrated health intervention tailored for mobile communities. As a mother of five, she understands the vital role vaccines play in safeguarding her children’s well-being. « Vaccines keep my children healthy. Whenever they fall ill, I take them straight to the health center, » she shares.

Afia’s experience reflects the challenges faced by many pastoral families across Chad, where livestock forms the backbone of household survival. Frequent seasonal migrations and remote locations often disrupt access to essential health services. Nomadic populations, accounting for about 3.5% of the national population, have long struggled with limited healthcare reach.

To bridge this gap, the government has adopted the One Health strategy—a multi-sectoral framework uniting health, livestock, environmental, and agricultural sectors. This holistic approach ensures that pastoral communities receive tailored services aligned with their mobile lifestyles. On June 9, 2026, the Mandjafa initiative delivered integrated care to 134 individuals, including 11 children. The event combined human and livestock vaccination, with 96 animals immunized, alongside vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and insecticide-treated mosquito net distribution.

Dr. Mahamat Béchir, National One Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, highlights the necessity of this approach: « Early 2000s studies revealed glaring gaps in vaccination coverage among nomadic groups. We realized that traditional service delivery models were failing them. Adapting our strategies to their movement patterns became imperative. »

Field observations also revealed that herders frequently utilize veterinary services. By merging animal health interventions with maternal and child health services, the campaign maximized outreach while minimizing travel for families. This dual approach benefits both communities and their livestock, as seen in the experience of Youssouf Idriss, a local herder with sheep, cattle, and camels. « My animals are the lifeline of my family—they feed us and sustain our livelihood. Their health is non-negotiable, » he explains.

For pastoral households, livestock health directly impacts income, nutrition, and overall well-being. Joint campaigns address multiple needs in a single visit, enhancing preventive care access. On-the-ground teams, like veterinary agent Raphaël Neni, have witnessed tangible improvements. « Since we intensified vaccination efforts, disease outbreaks have declined. Herders themselves notice the difference in their animals’ health, » he notes.

Beyond livestock benefits, these interventions reduce zoonotic disease risks, strengthening community health security. Nationally, the One Health platform coordinates cross-sectoral collaboration among health, livestock, environment, and agriculture ministries to bolster disease surveillance and response. « Health challenges today transcend single sectors. Zoonotic diseases, climate shifts, and environmental concerns demand unified action to protect populations, » Dr. Béchir emphasizes.

Global health partners, including the World Health Organization, have supported this initiative for years. Their contributions span platform strengthening, International Health Regulations assessments, national health security plan implementation, and capacity-building for field actors. Dr. Tamadji Mbaïhol, WHO Chad’s routine immunization lead, reflects on two decades of engagement with nomadic communities: « These groups readily embrace health services when delivered on their terms. The real challenge is reaching them where they are. Adapted interventions yield high participation rates. »

The Mandjafa campaign’s success underscores the power of bringing multiple services together in one outreach. Over the years, this approach has thrived through inter-ministerial collaboration and technical partnerships. « WHO’s support has been instrumental in fortifying the One Health platform and fostering sectoral synergy. Today, we advance shared public health priorities as a cohesive unit, » Dr. Béchir affirms.

As Afia prepares to return home with Fatma, her advice to other parents is clear: « Don’t delay taking your child to the health center when they’re unwell. Quick action protects their health and keeps them strong. » In Mandjafa, the One Health model proves that distance is no barrier to essential care—when services come to the people who need them most.