The Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health Project (SMP-AH) held a national workshop from 1st to 3rd June 2015 in Juba, South Sudan. Its main aim was to roll out ready Standard Methods and Procedures (SMPs) for FMD, PPR, RVF and brucellosis to veterinary stakeholders within South Sudan to create awareness in order to foster smooth implementation of the SMPs. This initial workshop brought together key players in animal health services mainly from the public sectors who are engaged in livestock and wildlife services. In addition, the workshop reviewed the status of livestock diseases in the states and their control and also discussed avenues to promote local and export trade in livestock and livestock products. A total of 39 participants drawn from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Departments of Veterinary Services in eight states, Wildlife Services, pharmaceutical companies, FAO-South Sudan, ICRC, AU-IBAR and IGAD attended the workshop.
In his remarks, Dr Joseph Magona, on behalf of the Director, AU-IBAR, Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy, appreciated efforts made by the Government of South Sudan in general and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in particular in organizing the SMP roll-out workshop. He highlighted the substantial contribution livestock resource make towards the national economy, food security and livelihoods of communities. He further noted that transboundary animal diseases (TADs) continue to affect livestock production and trade in the region. He stated that the SMP roll-out workshop was intended to disseminate ready SMPs, namely, FMD, PPR, RVF and brucellosis to all national stakeholders in order to initiate implementation at national level. Finally, he encouraged all livestock stakeholders in South Sudan to embrace the implementation of the SMPs for FMD, PPR, RVF and brucellosis during implementation of disease control programmes and regulation of trade in livestock and livestock products.
In his opening remarks, Dr Jacob Korok, Director General of Veterinary Services for South Sudan, pointed out the importance of the project and how the project will benefit the country.
Each participant received a copy of the SMP for each of the diseases. Upon fruitful deliberations the meeting recommended the following:
To the Government of Republic South Sudan (GRSS) and AU-IBAR
- To build strong coordination and collaboration between the veterinary authorities of South Sudan and the neighbouring countries in diseases surveillance and quarantine across the borders
- To GRSS, IGAD/ICPALD
- To facilitate formation of pastoralist and livestock traders associations which will lead to the participation of South Sudan in NEALCO and other regional forums
To GRSS
- To facilitate livestock trade between the neighbouring countries through regulatory frame work and encourage private sector investment in livestock trade
- To establish quarantines facilities meeting minimum standards at border check points and entry points
- To enhance collaboration and harmonization between the Ministry of Livestock and Wildlife Services by sharing information and capacity building of wildlife/livestock staff in surveillance and testing of samples in CVL
- To incorporate the implementation of the SMPs in the national veterinary policy and regulation to institutionalize it
To GRSS, SMARF, AA
- To implement the SMP and syndromic manuals and provide feedback on the success and challenges thereafter
As a way forward, the meeting resolved to organize a workshop for developing an implementation plan for the SMPs; for the SMP-AH team to work with the State Ministries of Animal Resources and Fisheries, private sectors, NGOs, and agencies to ensure the implementation of the Action Plan; for SMP-AH Coordinator to follow up the procurement and delivery of materials and equipment for the timely implementation of the Action Plan; for SMP-AH team to monitor the follow-up on the recommendation; and for the SMP-AH focal person and the Director-General of Veterinary Services to ensure institutionalization of the implementation of SMPs in South Sudan.