ISAVET 4 Cohort Graduates pause for a photo with the State Minister for Animal Industry, FAO Country Rep in Uganda, trainers and facilitators

November 10 2023, Jinja – The fourth cohort of the In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) program, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), has successfully concluded today in Jinja, Uganda. The training program's main aim is to improve veterinary professionals' skills in the prevention, detection, and response to diseases, especially emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and transboundary animal diseases (TADs).

The ISAVET program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), enlisted the participation of 30 veterinary professionals from different districts and organizations in Uganda. Over four months, the participants received a combination of classroom lectures and practical field exercises aimed at honing their skills in disease surveillance and epidemiological investigation. This training enables them to identify, report, and respond to critical human and animal health threats.

Like the previous cohorts, ISAVET's 4th cohort lasted four months, beginning with four weeks of formal training in July 2023, followed by three months of mentored field projects at trainee duty stations. During the training, the trainees attended lectures, participated in exercises, and went on field visits to develop projects based on local needs. The training covered essential areas such as surveillance, investigation, and emergency response.

Enhancing Veterinary Competency

Hon. Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of State, Animal Industry in MAAIF, presided over the closure workshop and reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting districts in timely and efficient reporting and control of disease outbreaks. He also encouraged the trainees to apply their newly gained knowledge effectively.

Antonio Querido, FAO's Representative in Uganda, emphasized the "importance of field epidemiology training in addressing real problems affecting livestock farmers". He stresses the interdependence of human, domestic, and wild organisms, including plants and the environment. He stressed the need for a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach under the One Health framework.

National and Global Collaboration

As part of the post-training activities, a workshop was held in Jinja from November 6 to 7. Technical reviews, final project reports, and field presentations were given from 8-9 November, followed by a graduation ceremony on November 10, 2023. The presentations covered various topics, ranging from a study on antimicrobial resistance in livestock production systems in Sironko district to knowledge, attitudes, and practices of biosecurity measures for African swine fever in Kween district. Another presentation highlighted the prevalence and risk factors associated with brucellosis in goats in Kaberamaido district.

The participants, nominated by the national veterinary services and the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, drawn from various districts and organizations across Uganda, actively participated in animal disease investigations and surveillance as part of the training. The expected outcomes include graduates demonstrating all 14 competencies, reviewing and updating the curriculum and training materials, strengthening networks at various levels, and evaluating the effectiveness of the ISAVET program.

Since the launch of ISAVET training in 2020, Uganda has made significant progress in filling the skills gap in epidemiology, particularly at the district and subcounty levels. This has been achieved through the training of 117 graduates, 18 trainers of trainees (TOTs), and 19 trainers of mentors (TOMs). These efforts are crucial in making the livestock sector more resilient to transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and priority zoonotic diseases.

The success of the 4th Cohort ISAVET training is expected to enhance the capacity of Uganda's veterinary professionals to combat emerging diseases and transboundary animal diseases effectively. This capacity-building initiative aligns with global efforts to strengthen health security and reflects the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) commitment to supporting countries in addressing critical health threats.

For more information: https://www.fao.org/documents/card/es/c/CA7015EN/ 

Contact:

Agatha Ayebazibwe

Communications Officer

FAO Uganda

Email: [email protected] 

Yanira Santana 

Emergency Reporting and Outreach Specialist

Bureau FAO ECTAD Africa

Email : [email protected]