Integrated health services bring essential care closer to Chad’s nomadic families

In the heart of the Mandjafa nomadic camp on the outskirts of N’Djamena, Afia arrived with her four-month-old daughter Fatma to access integrated health services designed specifically for mobile communities. A mother of five, Afia understands the critical role these interventions play in safeguarding her family’s well-being: “Vaccinations keep my children healthy. Whenever they fall ill, I immediately take them to the nearest health center,” she explains.

Like many pastoral families across Chad, Afia’s livelihood depends entirely on her livestock. Seasonal migration and the remote locations of health facilities often create barriers to accessing essential services. Nomadic populations make up roughly 3.5% of Chad’s total population, yet their unique needs have historically been overlooked by conventional health systems.

The Government of Chad has adopted the One Health approach—a collaborative strategy uniting health, livestock, environmental, and agricultural sectors—to deliver tailored services for pastoral communities. On June 9, 2026, this approach was put into action in Mandjafa, where teams provided integrated care to 134 individuals, including 11 children. The campaign combined human and livestock vaccination—with 96 animals immunized—alongside vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and insecticide-treated mosquito nets for families.

Dr. Mahamat Béchir, National One Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, emphasizes the necessity of this adaptation: “Early studies revealed vaccination coverage was dangerously low among nomadic groups. We realized our strategies had to evolve to meet their mobility patterns,” he notes. The initiative leverages the fact that pastoralists already frequently engage with veterinary services. By bundling animal and human health interventions, teams can reach more families in a single visit, minimizing logistical challenges.

Youssouf Idriss, a herder with sheep, cattle, and camels near Mandjafa, attests to the approach’s value: “Our animals are the backbone of our survival. They feed us, sustain us, and their health is non-negotiable.” For pastoral households, animal health directly impacts nutrition, income, and stability. Joint campaigns address multiple needs simultaneously while improving access to preventive care. Veterinary officer Raphaël Neni, who has worked in the field for five years, confirms the tangible benefits: “Since expanding vaccination efforts, we’ve seen a noticeable decline in preventable animal diseases. Herders themselves report healthier livestock.”

Beyond livestock, these integrated campaigns reduce zoonotic disease risks, bolstering community safety. Nationally, the One Health platform coordinates cross-sectoral action to strengthen disease surveillance, prevention, and response. “Health challenges no longer respect sectoral boundaries. Zoonotic threats, climate shifts, and environmental pressures demand unified solutions,” stresses Dr. Béchir. The World Health Organization has supported Chad’s One Health platform for years, assisting with capacity-building, International Health Regulations assessments, and the National Health Security Plan.

Dr. Tamadji Mbaïhol, WHO Chad’s routine immunization lead, highlights the long-term engagement with nomadic communities: “For nearly two decades, we’ve adapted our outreach to their realities. When services meet them where they are, participation skyrockets.” The ability to consolidate multiple services into one intervention has proven pivotal in mobile communities. Over time, the approach has thrived through collaboration across ministries and technical partners.

“WHO’s support has been instrumental in strengthening the One Health platform and fostering intersectoral collaboration. This partnership enables us to tackle shared public health priorities together,” Dr. Béchir adds. As teams continue their outreach, Afia prepares to return home with Fatma, having accessed critical services in one trip. Her advice to other parents is straightforward: “Take your child to a health center at the first sign of illness—it’s the best way to protect them.”

The One Health initiative in Mandjafa demonstrates how tailored, multi-sectoral strategies can bridge gaps in access, safeguarding both people and livestock that sustain Chad’s pastoral way of life.