USask project supports health initiatives for African women and girls

The One Health Community Partnerships (OHCP) project, supported by nearly $4 million from Global Affairs Canada and additional USask funding, addresses health challenges in rural African communities with a high prevalence of zoonotic diseases and human-animal-environment related illnesses.

“The University of Saskatchewan is committed to combating global health threats at all scales through innovative and transdisciplinary approaches. We simply cannot do that without collaborative efforts like the OHCP project,” said USask Vice-President Research Dr. Baljit Singh (PhD). “We are most grateful for the funding that Global Affairs Canada has provided to this project, and we look forward to further developing community-based solutions for One Health challenges here at home and around the world.”

The project is part of the USask One Health Signature Area of Research and aligns with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy of helping women and girls who face cultural barriers and limited access to resources to attain their full potential.

“Our One Health transdisciplinary approach will address health literacy and societal disparities that are a reality for women and girls in low-resource environments,” said Dr. Claire Card (DVM, PhD), a Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) professor who is the project’s leader and animal health lead.

In 2024, the project sent its first cohort of four USask student volunteers to project communities in Ghana and Uganda. Over three months, the students developed relationships in the communities and conducted educational presentations for schools and women’s groups. A second USask group will travel to Africa this summer to deliver educational initiatives in communities and schools and to participate in hands-on learning opportunities.

“Robust solutions really come from the communities themselves,” said Card. “They are the experts in their own lives, but by working together, we create a better understanding of their situations and can build resilient solutions.”

Other USask collaborators are: Dr. Gord Zello (PhD), a professor in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition and the project’s human health lead; Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace (PhD), executive director of the Global Institute for Water Security, a faculty member in the College of Arts and Science’s Department of Geography and Planning, and the project’s environmental health lead; and Dr. Susan Fowler-Kerry (PhD), a College of Nursing professor.

The wide-ranging project includes African staff and regional partners, along with collaborators at Hawassa University in Ethiopia, Uganda’s Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and University of Ghana. Faculty from University of Guelph and University of Toronto are among its Canadian partners, along with additional USask faculty who serve as subject matter experts.

Dr. Jan Gallardo (DMD), a dentist and USask biomedical sciences student, volunteered in Ghana last summer. He helped deliver educational presentations about basic hygiene and health practices to schools.

“It made me appreciate what we take for granted,” said Gallardo, pointing out challenges such as limited access to clean water. “For example, one community shared a well between 10 to 12 families.”

The OHCP project’s long-term vision is to create lasting change, giving women and their families the tools to continue their economic development independently.

“From One Health education to training and income generation, we’re listening to women and advancing their needs,” said Meron Johnston, project director.

This goal builds on Card’s previous outreach in Uganda when she and veterinary students helped train women to become “para-vets”—community-based veterinary workers who provide essential animal health services. OHCP is replicating that model and incorporating a gender equality lens in all project activities.

Card said the initiative’s success relies on the strength of partnerships.

“It’s an equal knowledge relationship. We’ve benefited so much from the trust in our relationship with them,” said Card, adding that the volunteer experience is life changing for USask students.

“They understand the world better, and I think that they’re more mature, compassionate, aware and inspiring. And they really do learn a lot,” she said.

A celebration for the OHCP project will take place on Wednesday, March 5 (4:30-6 pm), at the USask Health Sciences Building (Large Atrium, D-wing).