NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 27 – The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has hosted its veterinary forum in Nairobi aimed at addressing the continent’s veterinary workforce challenges.
The forum which brought together over 175 participants from 36 African countries in Nairobi focused on streamlining Africa’s veterinary workforce challenges amid growing concerns over health, food security, and climate resilience.
Andrew Karanja, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, emphasized the urgency of transforming the veterinary sector.
“Animal health is the backbone of food security and livelihoods. Transforming the livestock sector is not just necessary,it’s urgent for poverty alleviation, economic growth, and job creation,” he stated.
He also highlighted Kenya’s commitment to advancing veterinary services through key reforms and initiatives in sectors like dairy, leather, and red meat.
François Caya, WOAH Deputy Director General, stressed the importance of workforce development, saying, “Equipping veterinary professionals with the tools to address current and future challenges is central to safeguarding both animal and human health.”
The forum also focused on gender equity.
Grace Wasike, Director of Gender at Kenya’s State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, noted, “Women are the main contributors to food security in the country and are heavily involved in the agricultural sector, particularly in keeping small livestock.”
She called for increased support for women in veterinary professions.
The conference introduced two major initiatives;WOAH’s Community Animal Health Workers (CAHW) guidelines and the Africa Public-Private Partnership Forum,aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in animal health.
With strong backing from donors like AFD, BMZ, DTRA, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GALVmed, the event concluded with a collective commitment to modernizing veterinary education and enhancing workforce diversity, ensuring a sustainable and resilient veterinary workforce for Africa’s future.
