Ochendo: An African Journal of Innovative Studies

This study examines the extent to which integration between biodiversity conservation and public health is realised in Africa through governance and educational processes, the purpose being to access the prospects and challenges of achieving cross-sectoral integration between biodiversity and health systems in selected African countries. Despite global recognition of the links between ecosystems and human health, biodiversity conservation and public health in Africa continue to be managed in silos, resulting in fragmented policies, duplicated efforts, and environmental health threats, the objectives of the study are to: examine institutional and policy challenges hindering the integration of biodiversity conservation and public health in Africa, and access the role of public administration and education in facilitating or constraining crosssectoral collaboration. The study is grounded on the One Health theory, which provides a conceptual lens for analysing multi-sectoral coordination, shared risk governance, and trans-disciplinary knowledge integration between human, animal, and environmental health. A qualitative, documentary and comparative case study design was adopted. Data were collected through systematic analysis of policy documents and institutional report from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, selected via purposive sampling for variation in governance and policy contexts. Thematic analysis, comparative case analysis, and policy coherence assessment guided by OECD and AU criteria were used. Findings revealed institutional fragmentation, policy incoherence, donor-dependency, and marginalisation of environmental health in education as major challenges. One Health platforms and community-based conservation show prospects for improved coordination and co-benefits were legally backed and funded. The study concluded that integration remains limited due to structural and financial gaps. The study recommends legal institutionalisation of One Health, curriculum reforms for education for sustainable development among other.

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