Group photo of the participants

Experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)  Emergency Center for Animal Transboundary Diseases (ECTAD) in Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania gathered on 28 and 29 August 2024 in Nairobi for a Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) evaluation workshop, where the crucial role of FAO ECTAD in advancing animal health and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across Africa was underscored.

Country Innovations and Challenges

For FAO ECTAD, the GHSA evaluation represents a critical opportunity to showcase the impact of its initiatives and the progress made in collaboration with member countries.

For Kenya, for instance, the workshop highlighted the success of the Animal Surveillance System (KABS), a key project supported by FAO ECTAD. This system exemplifies how FAO ECTAD’s focus on sustainable, country-led solutions has fostered significant improvements in animal health surveillance.

Ghana’s advancement in meat regulations and traceability tools, facilitated by FAO ECTAD’s support, was also a focal point. The integration of the Epi value chain tool reflects FAO ECTAD’s commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing disease monitoring.

In Sierra Leone, the discussion around equipment calibration and the adaptation of the ISAVET curriculum to lower-level animal health professionals highlighted FAO ECTAD’s role in capacity building and education. These efforts are pivotal in ensuring that veterinary services are robust and adaptable to local needs.

Tanzania’s use of the EMA-i mobile app, showcased during the workshop, demonstrates FAO ECTAD’s support for innovative solutions in real-time data collection and reporting. The app’s implementation underscores the importance of FAO ECTAD’s work in fostering technological advancements in disease surveillance.

The workshop also emphasized FAO ECTAD’s pivotal role in AMR management and multisectoral coordination. Through these highlights, the workshop illustrated how FAO ECTAD’s support is making a tangible difference across Africa. The successful implementation of various projects and the collaborative spirit displayed at the workshop reflect FAO ECTAD’s dedication to enhancing regional health security. As the region continues to tackle complex challenges, FAO ECTAD’s contributions remain central to advancing animal health and combating AMR, reinforcing its critical role in the GHSA framework.

For further information, please contact:

Joseph Othieno

National Communications Specialist

FAO Kenya

Email: [email protected]