From Silos to Systems: Operationalizing One Health Through Water Governance for Climate-Resilient Public Health

In global health monitoring capabilities, the transition of wastewater surveillance from experimental to operational status represents a paradigm shift . Leading authorities such as the World Health Organization's (2023) formal guidelines on wastewater-based epidemiology now position this new technology approach as a "key One Health operational tool. " On the other hand, the UNEP led Wastewater Surveillance for Africa Initiative demonstrates real-world implementation across Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa. However, these advances remain confined to pilot programs rather than integrated national surveillance systems. This brief recommends establishing inter-ministerial One Health coordination mechanisms, integrating wastewater surveillance into routine national health monitoring, and developing cascading risk assessment frameworks that recognize water as the central pathway connecting climate hazards to health outcomes.