Our work with the African Union
Since 2012, with generous funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and support from African Union (AU), Kyeema has been working with the African Union-Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC), based in Ethiopia, to establish improved mechanisms for sustainable Newcastle disease control in AU Member States.
The projects have involved preparation and testing of Master Trainer courses to improve the value chain of Newcastle (ND) disease control. The training courses aim to strengthen the capacity of African countries to control ND in village chickens, in order to improve food and nutrition security through increased access to affordable and nutritious protein for poorer rural families.
Master Trainers from across Africa have reviewed the ND training curricula prior to finalising them for distribution across African Union Member States. The establishment of AU-endorsed Master Trainers will facilitate the increase in effective and efficient ND control personnel operating in participating countries and decrease or eliminate the need for external support.
The goal is to build sustainable approaches to ND control in village chickens in participating countries. By expanding knowledge, the aim is that veterinarians and other animal health personnel will add ND control to their standard practice and therefore expand the reach of vaccination activities for village chickens. This should in turn increase production and consumption of village chickens, minimise production losses and reduce geographic spread of ND.
Projects
Pilot of Master Trainer courses in Africa to improve Newcastle disease control in village chickens
AU-PANVAC and Kyeema have developed a program to improve AU Member States’ (MS) capacity to sustainably control Newcastle disease (ND) in village chickens. To date, three training courses have been prepared and course modules have been peer reviewed by cohorts of animal health professionals from AU-MS. Activities in Mozambique, Kenya and Ethiopia aimed at adapting ND control training modules for an e-learning environment are ongoing.
Mobilisation of support for Africa regional Newcastle disease control program for village chickens
With funding support from the Australian Government, a review of the Laboratory Diagnosis, Vaccine Production and Field curriculum review was undertaken. Master Trainers (MT) from Tanzania, Senegal, Mozambique, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria attended the meeting at AU-PANVAC from 4 to 8 September 2017. Dr Mary Young, Kyeema’s Senior Technical Manager, led the review process.
COMPLETED 2017
Donor: Australian Embassy in Ethiopia, Direct Aid Program
