FG to Prevent Spread of Animal Health Diseases in Nigeria
Victoria Ogunrinde
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr. Ernest Umakhihe on Monday Launched the In Service Applied Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) to curb the spread of animal and human health diseases in the country.
Umakhihe while speaking at the launch in Abuja stated that diseases limits the country’s preparedness to curbing spread of diseases, and as such a need for the training.
“Controllably, diseases are limiting the impact in determining our activities as a nation to predict, detect and respond in a timely manner, therefore, this training will equip public officers discover set of skills and competencies required for managing emerging health emergency in animals and humans”.
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He explained that the programme aimed at improving the ability of veterinarian and other animal health workers to predict, prepare, prevent respond and recover from critical health threat affecting human and animals and human-animal environmental interface.
He noted that the programme is apt and timely considering the emergence and re-emergence of diseases of significant public health such as avian influenza, (bird flu), African swine fever, to mention but a few.
Controllably, diseases are limiting the impact in determining our activities as a nation to predict, detect and respond in a timely manner, therefore, this training will equip public officers discover set of skills and competencies required for managing emerging health emergency in animals and humans.
While commending major stakeholders for their support, he urged the graduate-trainees to justify and duly impact in the reduction of animal and human health diseases in the country.
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“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) appreciate this laudable collaboration and I want to assure you that we will continue to support your effort and help you to facilitate the full implementation of this programme.”
“I urge you trainees to put in your best in order to increase your capacity in animal disease protection and control at the grassroots level and justify your inclusion into the programme and be hopeful that the graduates of this training programme will in no small measure contribute to early detection, surveillance and control of trans boundary animal diseases in Nigeria”.