Enhancing Sectoral Integration by Leveraging One Health Assessments: The Case Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The One Health (OH) approach is crucial for addressing health challenges that demand enhanced multisectoral collaboration. This case study presents the MediLabSecure One Health Situation Analysis (OHMeSA), which explores the operationalization of the OH in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where a complex governance structure is present. The study was conducted by a team of the National Center for Global Health (NCGH) of the Italian National Institute for Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità-ISS), within the framework of the MediLabSecure (MLS) project, a European Union-funded initiative aimed at improving surveillance and response to vector-borne diseases (VBDs). A One Health Conceptual Framework (OHCF), developed by ISS during the G20 2021 meeting guided the study design and implementation, which adopted a mixed-methods approach and followed a stepwise strategy. First, a stakeholder mapping process was carried out, followed by a desk review that led to development of a country portfolio. Then an online prioritization exercise was conducted, leading to the identification of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Brucella, as priority pathogens. Afterward, a site visit to BiH was conducted for consultations and meetings with stakeholders. Finally, the findings from the site visit were synthesized into a comprehensive report highlighting the strengths, challenges, and opportunities of the OH system in BiH. The methodology, along with identified enabling factors, offers insights to guide the implementation of OH strategies in countries facing similar challenges. This approach strengthens coordinated health frameworks that can effectively manage the complex interdependencies among human, animal, and environmental health.