INTERVIEW WITH DR SOUMANA DIALLO, DELEGATE OF MALI TO OIE

EMPRES: As Chief of the Division de la prévention des risques, protection des animaux et des végétaux, Direction nationale de l'appui au monde rural, as well as in your capacity as delegate of Mali to OIE, could you kindly tell us what are the major constraints the Direction of Veterinary Services has to face in Mali when it deals with early detection of animal diseases?

SD: The major constraints faced by our service stem from the necessity to cover a vast territory in spite of limited or absence of means of transport (vehicles, motorbikes), availability of maintenance funds and understaffing. Extensive husbandry practices and animal movements also contribute to the difficulty of efficient delivery of veterinary services at the grassroots level. Lack of training of field agents and veterinarians is also a critical issue that needs to be addressed.

Dr Soumana Diallo during a field visit to sentinel herds in the region of Mopti
PHOTO COURTESY OF VINCENT MARTIN/EMPRES

EMPRES: As an active member of a regional early warning and surveillance system for RVF, what lessons do you draw from this experience?

SD: Many lessons have been learned from this experience. One of the most important is that, with only limited resources, it is possible to detect the early signs of epizootic diseases through farmer awareness (posters in local languages, manuals) and exchange of information between neighbouring countries.

EMPRES: In your opinion, what aspects or areas of early warning still need to be strengthened, taking Mali as an example?

SD: In my opinion, surveillance and early detection of diseases need to be strengthened through subregional cooperation, based on a reliable information system. Involvement of all stakeholders (public health, diagnostic laboratory, the media, veterinary services and livestock owners) at the national level is also essential.

EMPRES: Good farmer and, by extension, public awareness is another strong early warning component. Is the Malian public aware of the risks of TADs, and their impact on food security?

SD: In rural areas, farmers tend to have a good knowledge of livestock epizootic diseases. However, they often ignore their real impact on food security.

EMPRES: What is the level of preparedness in the context of early reaction of the Malian Veterinary Services?

SD: With the implementation of the National Disease Information System (EPIVET-MALI) in 1999, and in the framework of the Pan African Programme for the Control of Epizootics (PACE) funded by the European Union and the Malian Government, the level of preparedness and early reaction can be considered as good today.

EMPRES: How much more can FAO, through its Animal Health Service/EMPRES programme, help in assisting your work?

SD: FAO and EMPRES could assist the Veterinary Services to achieve the following objectives by:

• provision of training and information material for field agents and farmers (newsletter in national languages);
• provision of computer equipment with modem connection for rapid exchange of information with neighbouring countries;
• installation of TADinfo software and adequate training of staff;
• training in risk analysis with regard to the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement.