Connecting Animal and Human Health

.... The U.S.-Funded Initiative Equips Veterinarians with Essential Skills for Public Health

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (23-10-2024) - The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has graduated 30 animal health professionals under the U.S.-funded Zambia In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) program.

The ceremony, held on Tuesday, marked a major milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen animal health and improve disease preparedness across the country.

Acting Director of Veterinary Services, Charles Maseka, hailed the training as a crucial step towards boosting Zambia’s capacity to detect and respond to animal diseases, particularly those with the potential to spread to humans. 

“This training is critical in our goal to achieve Zambia’s Vision 2030 by strengthening the country’s ability to handle transboundary animal diseases,” Maseka said. 

He highlighted the importance of safeguarding public health, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and other zoonotic diseases as evidence of the close link between human and animal health.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock praised their contributions, highlighting that these professionals are well-positioned to work closely with local populations to detect and report emerging animal diseases quickly

The training, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is designed to equip veterinary professionals with skills to prevent, detect, and respond to zoonotic diseases. 

Regina Parham, Acting Deputy Director of USAID’s Health Office, said the program represents a vital element of Zambia’s public health infrastructure. 

“Zambia has reached an important milestone in its ability to prevent and detect zoonotic diseases,” Parham said, noting that healthy animal populations are key to Zambia’s broader economic and health goals.

Maseka also announced that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock would be rolling out the District Health Information System (DHIS) across the country, a move aimed at improving disease reporting and monitoring in both rural and urban areas. 

Additionally, the enactment of the Animal Identification and Traceability Bill will enhance the tracking of animal movements and health data, further bolstering disease control efforts.

The graduation ceremony also underscored the growing public health threats posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has become a significant challenge across Africa.

Alice Lungu Bwalya, representing the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), warned of the dangers of AMR, especially in agriculture and veterinary sectors. 

“Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to food systems and public health. Africa CDC’s ‘One Health’ approach integrates veterinary and medical health to combat these issues,” she said.

Bwalya reiterated Africa CDC’s commitment to supporting African countries, including Zambia, in developing national plans to address AMR and strengthen their health systems. 

“Programs like ISAVET are vital in enhancing the capacity of veterinary professionals to handle zoonotic disease outbreaks,” she added.

As the newly trained animal health workers prepare to return to their communities, they are expected to play a key role in improving early disease detection and response efforts at the local level, particularly in rural areas where veterinary services are often scarce.

The U.S. government, through USAID, reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Zambia in strengthening its public health systems. USAID’s support, including the ISAVET program, is part of broader efforts to enhance Zambia’s health security and capacity to respond to future outbreaks.

The graduation comes ahead of Zambia’s 60th Independence Day celebrations, which will take place on October 24, 2024.

During the ceremony, FAO’s country representative Suze Philipe emphasized the program’s role in addressing challenges such as anthrax outbreaks in drought-prone areas.

The 30 graduates are now equipped with the skills to improve early detection and control measures, contributing to both animal and public health protection. 

This training also tackles the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses challenges to public health and agriculture.

By improving disease management and integrating early warning systems, the program aims to reduce the burden of zoonotic and transboundary diseases.

FAO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in enhancing Zambia’s animal disease surveillance. 

The program is expected to help alleviate poverty, foster economic growth, and advance food security, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Gratitude was expressed to USAID for its support and to Kwame Nkrumah University for hosting the training. 

The program’s success was also attributed to collaboration with the University of Zambia and the Zambia Institute of Animal Health. 

The ceremony concluded with congratulations to the graduates and well-wishes for Zambia’s 60th Independence Day, celebrated on October 24.