A joint delegation led by US Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome and FAO Representative in DR Congo visits the Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory
US Ambassador to UN Agencies in Rome and FAO Representative in DRC during their visit to the Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory.
On August 8, 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) welcomed the United States Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome, Ambassador Jeffrey Prescott. Leading a delegation which included representatives from the US Embassy, he visited the Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory (LVL) in Haut-Katanga province as part of his official mission. He was accompanied by Aristide Ongone Obame, the FAO Country Representative.
FAO Representative Aristide Ongone Obame expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Prescott's visit, highlighting the improvements made possible through funding from USAID in this region of the DRC. "The FAO, through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Control (ECTAD), has implemented high-quality initiatives that have garnered recognition from both the Congolese government and its people. This was made possible through financial support from USAID, reinforcing the strong partnership between our institutions," Obame stated.
Ambassador Prescott expressed his satisfaction with the support provided by the American people and government to the DRC in the fields of animal and public health. "Following our contributions to the rehabilitation and equipping of the Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory, we see significant opportunities to expand our collaboration, particularly in enhancing the capacities of national professionals," he noted.
Speaking on behalf of the entire staff, Dr. Maloba Kasongo, Director of the Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory, expressed his gratitude to FAO and USAID for their critical support in enhancing the laboratory's operations. "I would also like to extend my thanks to the national and provincial authorities for their unwavering support of LVL," he concluded.
A strong institution serving the community
The Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory, established in 1948, serves as a key technical support unit for livestock development in the DRC. It operates as a specialized department under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
To ensure the LVL meets the requirements of a diagnostic laboratory and complies with ISO 17025 standards, FAO, through its "Support to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA)" program funded by USAID and implemented by ECTAD, has provided substantial support to the facility. This support includes renovating the diagnostic wing, securing the building's perimeter, installing an incinerator, and supplying laboratory materials, equipment, reagents, and consumables. Additionally, technical staff have received significant capacity-building training.
Thanks to this comprehensive support, LVL is now better equipped to detect animal diseases, zoonoses, and antimicrobial resistance, much to the great satisfaction of its partners, including livestock farmers, veterinary practitioners, and veterinary services in Haut-Katanga province.
During their visit, the joint delegation toured the laboratory’s disease diagnosis department, which includes units for molecular biology, serology, virology, rabies, bacteriology, parasitology, and a mobile epidemiological surveillance unit.