Investing in animal health: 30 graduates equip Tanzania to combat zoonotic diseases
THIRTY veterinary professionals have graduated from the four-month In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) programme, aimed at enhancing skills in diagnosing, preventing and controlling animal diseases.
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the programme equips animal health workers—including veterinarians, para-veterinarians, and laboratory technicians—with essential skills to strengthen animal health capacity.
It focuses on improving preparedness, rapid response and the efficient detection, reporting and control of zoonotic and transboundary diseases.
Among the 30 graduates of the 5th Cohort, 20 hail from Mainland Tanzania, while 10 come from Zanzibar, with five each from Unguja and Pemba.
This brings the total number of veterinary professionals trained through the ISAVET programme to 133 since its inception in 2018.
The Frontline ISAVET initiative enhances field-level preparedness and promotes early detection and rapid response to transboundary animal diseases, emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, all within an integrative One Health approach.
At the graduation ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, commended USAID and FAO for their role in training, noting that the programme is crucial for equipping frontline personnel to safeguard animal health and ensure a sustainable future for Tanzania’s livestock sector.
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“This marks a significant milestone toward improved capacities in detecting, preventing, and responding to animal diseases, ensuring better livelihoods and food security,” said Prof Shemdoe.
He emphasised that the programme helps alleviate a significant financial burden on the government regarding zoonotic disease treatment.
“Treating zoonotic diseases is costlier than prevention. Your work reduces the financial burden associated with treating these diseases,” he added.
Prof Shemdoe pointed out the significant economic costs related to healthcare treatment for zoonotic diseases. Dr Benezeth Lutege, Director of Veterinary Services, noted that the average cost of canine rabies vaccines ranges from 2,000/- to 3,000/-.
Meanwhile, according to Dr Rogath Kashimba, Coordinator of the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme from the Ministry of Health, rabies vaccines for humans cost between 30,000/- and 50,000/- per dose, with four doses required for complete treatment. Dr Kashimba emphasised that vaccinating dogs against rabies is a more cost-effective strategy than treating humans after exposure.
“Given the high fatality rate and significant costs associated with treating zoonotic diseases like rabies, it’s crucial to prioritise prevention and control efforts, particularly through vaccination programmes for animals,” he said.
FAO Representative in Tanzania, Dr Nyabenyi Tito Tipo, expressed gratitude to USAID for its generous support of the ISAVET programme. In a speech delivered by Dr Stella Kiambi, the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Country Team Leader in Tanzania, Dr Tipo highlighted the importance of collaboration in enhancing veterinary training and improving animal health capacity nationwide.
She noted that FAO partners with national governments globally to implement rigorous animal health programmes designed to mitigate health threats of animal origin, particularly zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance.
“Investing in strong animal health is not only necessary but urgent,” she stated.
Through ECTAD, FAO works to bolster the capacities of member states to prevent, detect, and respond to highimpact diseases and other health threats, which can severely impact livelihoods, food security, and economies.
Despite improvements in experience and preparedness, Tanzania continues to face public health emergencies from diseases like Rift Valley fever, anthrax, and rabies, highlighting the ongoing need to enhance the country’s response capabilities for zoonotic diseases.
