Building Uganda’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture conclude 5th cohort of ISAVET training for veterinarians.
Mbarara, Uganda — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) have completed a one-month formal training component for the fifth cohort of the In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) program.
The intensive four-month program is designed to equip frontline veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals with the skills and knowledge to detect, prepare for, and respond to emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and transboundary animal diseases (TADs).
The course focuses on developing expertise in eight critical domains including epidemiological surveillance, field investigation and response, veterinary epidemiological methods, communication, animal disease preparedness, animal disease prevention and control, ethics and professionalism, and One Health.
As part of its Global Health Security Program, USAID partners with FAO to build critical animal health capacities in partner countries in a One Health approach, aiming to reduce the impact of zoonoses and stop the emergence and spread of potential epidemics and pandemics at the source.
In Uganda, the collaboration between FAO, MAAIF, District Local Governments, and other stakeholders is aimed at effectively controlling and eventually eradicating diseases through enhancing the skills of the veterinary workforce.
“The program's graduates will play a critical role in safeguarding Uganda’s animal health system and contributing to global efforts to achieve a more secure and healthier future,” said Dr Sam Okuthe, the FAO ECTAD Eastern and Southern Africa Regional focal point for Human Resource Action Package, based in Nairobi.
Speaking at the partial graduation of the training, Ms Leirah Mwesiga, the FAO's Assistant Representative in Uganda, representing the Country Representative Mr Antonio Querido, noted that strengthening national capacity for disease control, especially zoonotic diseases, is critical to reducing human disease, safeguarding lives, and livelihoods, and fostering food security for all.
“In the last four ISAVET cohorts, we have observed improved disease surveillance and reporting, stronger regional networks, and a more skilled workforce. Over a decade, there have been over $220 billion in losses globally, including losses of human life, animals, time, opportunities, and social welfare. We believe this investment is a step in the right direction, considering the high cost of inaction,” Leirah asserts.
Dr. Kakungulu James, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Veterinary Regulation and Enforcement in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the ISAVET program and its sustainability. He added that the competencies and skills attained are crucial to safeguarding animal and public health.
“The capacity that has been built now will be instrumental in improving animal disease reporting at the national and sub-national levels and responding to disease outbreaks to enhance animal and human health. I encourage you to work with your mentors to successfully complete the remaining phase of the course,” he said.
Dr. Kakungulu expressed his appreciation for the trainees' resilience and successful completion of the intense formal training. He also thanked the farmers who allowed the trainees to engage in practical training on their farms, the district authorities, and the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) for hosting the training.
“I am so grateful for ISAVET. I have learnt about applied epidemiology, disease surveillance, responding to disease outbreaks and investigation,” said Ms Esther Kugumisiriza, an ISAVET from Mbarara City. “I have acquired knowledge and skills, and I can now ably collect data, analyse it, and write a report.”
The fifth cohort of the program in Uganda brings the total number of graduates to 147 since its inception in 2018.
About ISAVET
In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) is a four-month frontline, in-service training that includes classroom sessions and practical field exercises. It is designed to strengthen field-level preparedness, early detection, and rapid effective response to transboundary animal diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance within an integrative One Health approach. FAO’s Frontline ISAVET programme was developed in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Texas A&M University and in collaboration with African universities including Makerere University; Uganda, and Inter-State School of Veterinary Science and Medicine (EISMV), Senegal.