FAO strengthens capacities of Nigeria’s Veterinary Services in First Good Emergency Practices (GEMP) to prevent, respond to Transboundary Animal Disease crisis.
Abuja - An animal disease emergency, such as an outbreak of a Transboundary Animal Disease (TAD), can have serious socio-economic consequences which may affect the national economy. In Nigeria, animal production is critical to the development of its population and to national economy, and TADs pose a serious threat to the stability and development of the resources the sector offers.
However, these severe problems can be avoided if adequate planning and programmes on preparedness for animal disease emergencies are carried out while reinforcing strong linkages between animal and human health sectors. In order to prevent the rapid spread of TADs or any further damage to livestock-dependent populations, national specialists need to be well-informed on how to prevent, detect and respond appropriately to animal disease emergencies and curtail such impending catastrophe.
It is against this background that the first national training workshop on Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP) with the theme of ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond to animal disease emergencies’’ was organized, thanks to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) support.
The training, held from the 12th – 14th November, was attended by 35 participants drawn from the Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control (FDVPCs) and veterinary services from 31 states across the country and it was organised by the Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO, in collaboration with the Federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
During his goodwill message, the FAO Country Representative H.E. Suffyan Koroma said “Over the years, FAO helps countries to prepare to prepare for animal disease emergencies by building their veterinary Service capacity on the GEMP practice”. He also added, “Planning for emergency disease eradication and control programmes enables Nigeria’s national veterinary services to be better equipped to cope with emergency and achieve rapid and cost-efficient control.
“Some of these practices are also helpful for preparedness during food safety, zoonotic and even non-infectious disease emergencies. The ineffective control of TADs and zoonosis that negatively impact the people and livelihood, can have heavy consequences on animal health and food security; and those diseases that are zoonotic pose risks to human health and food safety of the affected countries. Thus it is essential having a solid coordination between local, district, regional and national programmes in the framework of the GEMP standard”, he stated. In his opening remarks, Dr Columba Vakuru, the Deputy Director/Head of Epi Division also remarked that “the GEMP training will enhance the knowledge and skill of the participants, while managing disease emergency situations at all levels”.said
Prevent, Detect, Respond
When a disease is detected, rapid response is essential to minimize the spread of the disease. Delays at this point are critical and can lead to a disease becoming widespread and endemic. By building capacity to forecast, prevent, detect and respond to disease emergence, FAO ECTAD is helping to reduce the risk of national, regional and global disease spread.
All 35 participants have acknowledged the importance of this training, as they are now better equipped with a well-developed GEMP plan and the needed skills to efficiently and effectively prevent, detect, prepare and respond to animal disease emergencies including those in wildlife across the country.
Related Links
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Contact:
Dr. Hiver Boussini
FAO-ECTAD Country Team Leader
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel.: +234 708 527 6370
David Tsokar
National Communications Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel.: +234 806 616 2876