FAO Inducts 4th Cohorts Frontline Animal Health Workers

No fewer than 30 cohorts comprising veterinarians have received certificates of graduation following months of In Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) that are tailored toward improving animal health security and surveillance.

The thirty cohorts who were drawn from several state and federal agencies across the country for the epidemiology training were equipped with the proper set of skills and competencies required for surveillance and management of transboundary animal diseases.

The training aims to enhance the capacity of frontline veterinarians in epidemiologic surveillance, field investigation, professional ethics and emergency preparedness and response.

With this development, Nigeria has so far  trained four cohorts of ISAVET, 126 veterinarians with the 5th cohorts ISAVET trainees currently undergoing classroom training in Jos, Plateau State.

Speaking at the ISAVET graduation ceremony and presentation of awards in Abuja, ECTAD country team lead, Otto Vianney Muhinda who represented FAO country representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Fred Kafeero applauded the programme said the organisation will do whatever is possible to strengthen and enhance the achievements and bringing more innovations to contribute to the best future of the country.

National coordinator of the programme, Prof Hannatu Lombin said through the training the country is building a critical mass of frontline veterinarians that is changing the narratives of disease surveillance and reporting in Nigeria.

“I will implore you all to use this opportunity to make a difference, let this exposure herald the beginning of a new paradigm shift in disease surveillance and reporting in your places of work, go out and shine like the stars you already are, the veterinary profession is counting on you to make giant strides”, she said.