Advancing One Health through Multisectoral Collaboration: Insights from Bantul District's Fight against Leptospirosis

By Lusha Ayu Astari, MPH and Team 

Editor: Anti Rismayanti, SEAOHUN Regional Program Manager 

Taking part in the SEAOHUN One Health Research and Training (OHRT) Awards Program has provided an eye-opening experience for our team. Our project aimed at enhancing Bantul District’s response to leptospirosis, a recurring zoonotic disease impacting human, animal, and environmental health. By understanding the dynamics of government sector collaboration, we aimed to address the real-world challenges in operationalizing the One Health approach. 

Implementation Experience 

Our journey began with outreach to district agencies, initiating essential conversations and building cross-sectoral support. Early dialogues allowed us to map critical stakeholders, their roles, and their willingness for collaborative efforts. Subsequently, we conducted stakeholder mapping, policy reviews, and an insightful online survey targeting various sectors—public health, animal health, environmental management, and disaster response. This survey was more than data collection; it fostered reflection on interconnected roles within the One Health framework. 

One key achievement was developing the Stakeholder Influence–Interest Matrix. It revealed the nuanced dynamics between sectors, notably highlighting the proactive engagement of the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), despite its limited formal authority compared to the influential District Health Office (DHO) and Animal Health Office (DAHO). This insight underscored the importance of enthusiasm and willingness beyond hierarchical structures. 

Figure 1. The matrix shows DAHO and DHO as influential and engaged. BPBD showed high interest but had limited decision-making power. DLH and BPPD scored lower on both fronts.

Enhancement of One Health Knowledge and Skills

The project's execution significantly strengthened our team’s knowledge and skills across the One Health spectrum. Team members acquired enhanced competencies in zoonotic disease management, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and communication across sectors. Additionally, soft skills in negotiation, adaptation to different organizational cultures, and navigating complex political scenarios were notably developed. The interactive and collaborative nature of the workshops—combining government officials and community voices—enabled meaningful exchanges and practical understanding of integrated health approaches. These experiences have proven indispensable in grasping the realities of cross-sector collaboration, particularly under uncertain political climates and structural transitions.

Figure 2. Multisectoral coordination in action and public campaigns media Source: Radar Jogja  

Improving One Health Education and Practice

For faculty members involved in our team, the insights and practical knowledge gained have begun shaping curricula and teaching strategies at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Real-world experiences from this project serve as vivid case studies in classrooms, providing students a realistic view of how One Health is operationalized beyond theoretical frameworks.

For health professionals within district agencies, these experiences deepen their appreciation of cross-sectoral collaboration, reinforcing their roles as champions of integrated zoonotic disease management. Institutionalizing collaborative practices into regular operations, including joint surveillance, resource-sharing, and unified communication strategies, represents tangible progress toward sustainable One Health implementation.

Anticipated Impact on Target Groups

Looking forward, we anticipate significant positive impacts on both community and institutional levels. Short-term goals include heightened awareness and improved local responsiveness to leptospirosis outbreaks, driven by integrated planning and coordinated multisectoral actions. Over the next six months, ongoing advocacy and dissemination of project findings aim to reinforce institutional commitments, particularly under the newly established district administration. We envision strengthened capacities in district health systems, broader community empowerment through education and preventive behaviors, and potential partnerships with private sectors to support rodent control and sustainable practices.

Contributing to the Advancement of One Health

This project significantly contributes to Indonesia's One Health advancement by establishing a clear, replicable model of interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated disease management at the district level. By embedding structured coordination mechanisms into local governance, Bantul District becomes a reference point for other regions confronting similar zoonotic challenges.

The conceptual framework and operational model developed during the project align seamlessly with national policies, offering an adaptable blueprint that reinforces national preparedness and response capabilities.

Insights and Lessons Learned

Several critical insights emerged from our experience:

• Local context matters: One Health approaches must always account for specific local realities; what works in one setting may not apply universally.

• Relationships are foundational: Effective collaboration depends less on hierarchical authority and more on building trust and shared goals.

• Patience and flexibility: Political transitions and administrative complexities can slow processes, highlighting the need for patience and adaptive strategies.

Conclusion

The SEAOHUN OHRT Awards Program experience underscored the essence of One Health—not merely as a conceptual guideline but as a lived, dynamic practice centered on collaboration, trust, and sustained engagement. While challenges remain, our project’s impacts in Bantul District provide a hopeful pathway for robust multisectoral responses, ensuring healthier communities and resilient health systems.

Project Leader: Lusha Ayu Astari, MPH, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FMHPN-UGM) 

Team Members:

• Haniena Diva, BPH, MPH., Epidemiologist, Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) Antwerp & CIPDM, data analyst 

• Novra A. Sandi, DVM, MPH., Researcher, CIPDM, One Health consultant 

• Indra Dwi Octa Yuwanto, BPH., Health Promotion Officer, Jetis 1 Primary Health Care, field officer