Participants in a Session

FAO Empowers Veterinary Professionals to Enhance Disease Surveillance and Response

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), supported the commencement of the second cohort of the frontline In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) in Ghana. The training program began today and will run until 28 September 2024 and includes 30 participants from various sectors within Ghana's animal health community. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) further supports the initiative.

The ISAVET program is a key initiative to strengthen veterinary human resources at the frontline to address Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) and Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs). This cohort of training integrates classroom instructions and practical field exercises, designed to enhance participants' capabilities in disease detection, response, reporting, and prevention.

This cohort includes five participants who receive additional support through the Animal Health Systems Strengthening (AHSS) project funded by the United Kingdom's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The training is delivered in collaboration with several institutions, including the Veterinary Service Directorate (VSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, the Fisheries Commission of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), the Schools of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and FAO ECTAD’s regional and country offices.

Background and Objectives

The ISAVET initiative aligns with the Global Health Security Program (GHSP) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of  International Health Regulations (IHR). The program aims to bolster the field epidemiology capacity necessary for effective disease management at the human-animal-environmental interface.

The second cohort of ISAVET builds on the successes of the first cohort, which was launched in November 2021. The training is tailored to address specific needs within Ghana and the broader region by strengthening skills across seven domains and fourteen core competencies. The program seeks to foster robust networks among stakeholders to improve responses to EIDs and TADs and to apply insights gained from this cohort to future training sessions.

FAO ECTAD is dedicated to advancing veterinary epidemiology capacities in Ghana and across the region. The successful execution of this training will significantly enhance Ghana’s ability to predict, prepare for, and respond to critical animal health threats. Together, we are building a more robust and responsive animal health system that safeguards both human and animal health.