Benson Ameda President of the Association of Veterinary Technicians in Africa

Benson Ameda President of the Association of Veterinary Technicians in Africa

Report of the 1st veterinary Para- professional s conference Pretoria South Africa 13 th -15 th October 2015.

Introduction Africa Veterinary Technicians Association (AVTA) was founded to promote and defend the interest of all Veterinary Para professionals, with a special interest in the Animal Resource industry in Africa. The Continental conference for Africa Veterinary Paraprofessionals (VPP) took place in Pretoria, South Africa, from 13 th to 15 th October 2015. It was organized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and Africa Veterinary Technicians Association (AVTA), with the financial and technical support of the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) and the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). The conference aimed to improve the quality of the field work conducted in Africa by strengthening the linkages and collaboration between veterinarians and VPPs.

Structure and content. The conference brought together about 100 participants, African representatives of the national associations/ Federations of VPP, Representatives of Veterinary Authorities and statutory bodies. It was opened by the Minister of Agriculture (DAFF) South Africa.

Structure and content continues.. During the event there were country testimonies by associations of VPP in Africa, as well as testimonies by representations from other regions,(nepal, India and Afghanistan). The conference also focused on training of VPP in Africa, and veterinary oversight, medicines and vaccines.

Structure and content continues.. Categorization COUNTRY CATEGORIES OF VPP LEGAL STATUS UGANDA SUDAN KENYA Assistant Animal husbandry officer Animal Husbandry Officer Animal Production Officer Veterinary Assistant Veterinary Nurse Veterinary Technician CAHWs Veterinary Technicians Veterinary Technologist Not registered by VSB Only Veterinary Technicians are registered Registered by VSB NIGERIA Animal Health Technologist Not Registered by VSB (Technologists Bill in Parliament) MALAWI Assistant Veterinary Officer Laboratory Technicians Meat Inspectors Registered by VSB

Structure and content continues.. The conference noted the various challenges VPP face, which includes:- Inadequate legal recognition, inappropriate categorization, lack of standardization in training, restricted employment opportunities, ineffective research-extension-farmer linkages inappropriate veterinary infrastructure.

Structure and content continues.. Participants were concerned about the future of the profession and consensus building, the discussion was thus narrowed down under three topics. 1.Recognition of VPP in all sectors 2.Streamlining terminology pertaining to VPP Future of the profession 3.Linking veterinarians and VPP in line with OIE standards

Structure and content continues.. Recognition of VPP in different sectors Public sector challenges Lack of clarity in scope of work distinction between what they can do compared to BVM degree holders (some VPPs have multiple degrees in other subject areas) Often, schemes of service and models of supervision and oversight are not clear. Lack of career progression public sector seems to favour vets for promotion, etc. and prospects for career progress for VPPs are limited. Lack of academic progression VPPs find they do not easily get time off to study or get scholarships compared to vets. Where VPPs acquire additional qualifications, their career progression within the public sector is still not guaranteed.

Recognition of VPP in different sectors Private sector challenges Structure and content continues.. In many countries the scope of private practice is limited. Often legislation requires that VPP are employed by a Vet or the Government. There are varying degrees of independence with regard to how VPP can work e.g. in Ethiopia and Nigeria VPP is allowed to run clinics, while in South Africa VPP can work in private clinic but not run it. Lack of clarity of what Supervision entails and how it is workable in practice. Lack of clarity on scope of role and functions according to different levels/cadres.

Structure and content continues.. Streamlining terminology pertaining to VPP and their qualifications Some countries have strong objection against the use of the prefix Para, believed to imply a concept of Pseudo professional. What does the prefix Para mean in the absence of the one being assisted, knowing that most VPP don t actually assist but work on their own. Whether CAHWs should be included in the definition of VPP.

Structure and content continues.. Linking veterinarians and VPP while in compliance with OIE standards. Government entering into MoUs with veterinary practitioners, paying these practitioners and assigning them to Para-professionals and CAHWs and making them responsible for their supervision; Tiered supervision, or hierarchical supervision, whereby for lack of a qualified veterinarian in the area- a VPP with a higher level of training, e.g. at higher diploma-level could supervise less qualified VPPs or CAHWs and in turn report to a veterinarian, where these are available/working e.g. at district level, thereby creating a chain of supervision; Output-based supervision, whereby a veterinarian is made accountable and responsible but without describing how supervision should take place.

Recommendation to Authorities of OIE member Countries To address the shortcomings highlighted in the PVS pathway mission reports, in particular the critical competencies to human resources, mainly to VP and VPPs. To facilitate and where possible, harmonize the legislative framework of the establishment and management of VSBs where these do not exist or do not comply with OIE standards, or to update it for a better recognition of the issues related to the tasks undertaken by VPPs as an integral part of Veterinary Services. To support the VPPs to establish independent national, regional and/or sectorwide associations, able and competent to represent the profession in the VSB.

Recommendation to Authorities of OIE member Countries.. To take into account expectation that the National VSB will include VPPs in their decision making bodies, beyond the mere registration or listing of these para-professionals To take into account their expectation that the National VSB will define conditions and admission criteria for continuing education and post-graduate education for VPPs. To mobilize Veterinary Education Establishments and Veterinary Associations To take necessary steps for the enactment and enforcement of required legislation that will ensure the implementation of these recommendations.

Recommendation to OIE To continue to support the OIE member countries involved in the OIE PVS Pathway for the implementation of the recommendations made through the OIE PVS missions. To continue to advocate that the donors allocate funds for the continuation of the PVS Pathway in a long-term sustainable framework To consider developing minimum day-one competences for the various categories of VPPs that exist, in scope and in level of qualification. To consider developing minimum core training curricula for the various categories of VPPs that exist, in scope and in level of qualification.

Recommendation to OIE continues.. To encourage the participation of representatives of national, regional and continental associations of VPPs to participate in the fourth OIE Global Conference on Veterinary Education, to be held in Thailand in June 2016. To take appropriate steps in terms of monitoring progress made in the implementation of these recommendations.. To reconvene as appropriate, regular regional for a on the role of VPPs and Veterinarians in Africa where progress made will be assessed and further recommendations made towards the achievements of the goals of this initiative.

Conclusion The issue of how VPP operate is particularly relevant to the African continent, due to it s relative shortage of Veterinary Surgeons, the size of the rural areas and nomadic production systems, and the consequential lack of oversight or supervision by veterinarians.

Thank you Benson Ameda Président AVTA b.ameda@yahoo.com