A study conducted by the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Unit at WHO SEARO and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, presents a practical framework and reflection tool designed to help national programme managers operationalize multisector partnerships (MSPs) for zoonotic influenza preparedness and response. Published in Health Policy and Planning, the study addresses persistent challenges in implementing effective One Health strategies at national and subnational levels.
Although the One Health approach, which promotes collaboration across animal, human, and environmental health sectors, has gained global recognition, its practical application in real-world programmes remains limited. This is particularly urgent in Southeast Asia, where zoonotic influenzas such as H5N1 continue to circulate among poultry and livestock, presenting significant pandemic risks.
Drawing on academic literature and field experience, the authors propose a Theory of Action (ToA) for One Health MSPs, integrated within the existing One Health Theory of Change developed by the global quadripartite (FAO, WHO, WOAH, UNEP). The framework identifies five key building blocks: starting conditions, partnership characteristics, collaborative processes, outputs, and responsiveness. These elements collectively guide how sectors come together, structure their collaboration, work through trust and shared leadership, achieve results, and maintain sustainability over time.
In addition, the study introduces a Reflection Tool, providing programme managers with a practical method to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and overall functionality of their country’s MSPs. The tool facilitates locally relevant design and periodic review of intersectoral collaboration, avoiding generic or externally imposed approaches.
This framework and tool help demystify the ‘black box’ of multisector collaboration, offering a clear lens to evaluate what drives partnership success and what obstacles hinder effective cooperation. By emphasizing practical implementation over abstract ideals, the approach enables countries to localize global guidance, address specific bottlenecks, and better align stakeholder incentives, thereby strengthening pandemic prevention and preparedness systems.
Overall, the study contributes to the IHM Unit’s broader mission by enhancing the region’s capacity to detect threats early, coordinate across sectors, and prepare for pandemics. By translating One Health principles into actionable, context-sensitive strategies, it empowers countries to build robust, sustainable partnerships tailored to their unique systems, crucial for addressing emerging high-threat pathogens.
