GALVmed – the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines – just published an ‘Impetus Strategy Paper’ that puts forward ideas on the directions Africa’s livestock sector needs to take to maximise prospects for African livestock farmers, based on evidence and opinion from Sub Saharan Africa.
To validate and extend the discussions, GALVmed has set up an e-discussion where livestock experts can give their opinion about the ideas contained in the paper.
The e-discussion agenda is as follows:
- 14th –27th March: The State of Africa’s livestock sector;
- 28th March – 14th April: Improving animal health services for the rural farmers;
- 15th – 28th April: Feeding Africa’s Ruminants for food security and prosperity;
- 29th April- 16th May: Small livestock farmers increasing their income – trade and market access.
Read the Impetus Strategy Paper
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Better late than never! I would like to share ideas on ways of improving animal health services for the rural farmers;
establishing regulated animal health practice facilities (they include veterinary centers, clinics, hospitals, ambulatory services -registered by veterinary statutory body, visited by veterinarians and inspected veterinary inspectors and drug regulatory body) livestock keeping areas can improve the quality of services by veterinary paraprofessionals working in such areas. However, governments have to assist in establishing and initial equipment of such facilities in rural areas. statutory bodies should make sure the facilities provide for standard preliminaryanimal disease diagnosis, reporting, routine vaccination and veterinary advisory and extension services. Apart from rational use of veterinary practitioners categories, regulated facilities ( veterinary centers, clinics, hospitals, ambulatory services) can also provided required inputs during planning for veterinary drug needs, tracing and animal disease mapping and surveillance in general. They are center of information on one-health medicine.
Theresa