Focus Forward Workshop to Help Align UPCVM Curriculum with WOAH Standards

Authors: Dr Armando E. Hoet, Dr Amanda Berrian, Dr Jim Ferrara, Dr Alice Matos, Matt Pugh, Dr Michelle Grace V. Paraso, Dr Jovencio Hubert A. Abalos, Dr Emmanuel P. Hernandez, Dr Fletcher P. Del Valle, Dr Mark Joseph M. Desamero

To ensure that future Filipino veterinarians are globally competent and responsive to emerging animal and public health challenges, the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Veterinary Medicine (UPCVM) conducted a Focus Forward Workshop [1] to align its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Day-1 Competencies and core curriculum standards.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen veterinary education in South East Asia, UPCVM and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (OSU CVM) hosted a two-day Focus Forward Workshop last year in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. The primary purpose of this event was to develop a three-year action plan to help harmonise the UPCVM curriculum with the WOAH Day-1 Competencies. Participants included faculty members, recent graduates, current students and external stakeholders, representing local and national government agencies as well as the private sector. In particular, the event brought together participants from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) of the Department of Agriculture; municipal and city veterinarians from local government units; representatives from key companies like Boehringer Ingelheim and Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines; private veterinary clinics and professional collegial organisations. This workshop represents the latest phase of the ‘Assessment and Implementation of Day-1 Competencies’ (AID-1C) model – a methodology developed during the WOAH Twinning program to systematically evaluate and harmonise veterinary curricula with WOAH Day-1 Competencies [2].

Building veterinary workforce capacity through WOAH Day-1 Competencies

Building a veterinary workforce with the capacity to respond to transboundary and emerging infectious diseases is a focus area of the WOAH Day-1 Competencies critical to global health security. The 2023 WOAH Panorama Bulletin detailed the first two steps of the AID-1C process for UPCVM: ‘Assessment of the proficiency of the VEE’s graduates in Day-1 Competencies using a structured Evaluation Tool’ and ‘A systematic curricular review and evaluation’ [3]. These initial phases critically examined the current curriculum against WOAH’s standards, and a technical report was produced to identify gaps [2]. The AID-1C model’s goal is to ensure that veterinary graduates possess the competencies, deemed essential by WOAH, to contribute effectively to both animal and public health sectors as entry-level professionals within national Veterinary Services. For UPCVM, benchmarking its curriculum against WOAH standards for Day-1 Competencies ensures that its graduates are well prepared not only for the national veterinary workforce but also for international practice and mobility, in alignment with its vision and mission.

A Forward-Looking Approach for Action Plan Development for Curriculum Improvement  

The Focus Forward (FF) methodology is designed to help veterinary educational establishments develop customised action plans to improve the veterinary curriculum. [1] The FF methodology uses a structured two-day workshop to foster collaborative problem-solving and solution prioritisation by multiple internal and external stakeholders. The first day of this event is concentrated on presenting the identified gaps regarding Day-1 Competencies in the current veterinary curriculum as determined by previously conducted assessments and evaluations, e.g. AID-1C Evaluation Tool, graduate exit surveys, and other feedback mechanisms. Participants worked in mixed groups to analyse the root causes of these deficiencies and brainstorm practical, innovative solutions tailored to the local context and the institutional realities of the veterinary educational establishment (VEE), which will implement the action plan. The second day is focused on prioritisation and strategic planning. Attendees vote in real-time on the most critical or innovative solutions identified the previous day. This transparent and collective approach to identifying the most successful and sustainable solutions, taking into account local circumstances, contributes to the collaborative development of an action plan that will help UPCVM implement curriculum improvements aligned with WOAH Day-1 Competencies.

Shaping Action Through Stakeholder Input

One of the key strengths of the Focus Forward approach lies in its collaborative and participatory design. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders – recent graduates, current students and faculty, local government representatives, national agency officials and private sector leaders – the workshop ensures that proposed solutions addressed real-world needs and expectations for veterinary services across the Philippines.

One participant stated in the post-event evaluation, ‘I really appreciate that this workshop included faculty, stakeholders, students and other involved individuals! It recognised the importance of connections and collaborations within the veterinary community’. This inclusive process not only validates stakeholder perspectives but also builds shared ownership early on, which is essential for successful implementation.

Toward Action and Impact  

The workshop addressed a broad set of challenges ranging from curriculum content and practical training to resource constraints, and graduate professional readiness. Key gaps included insufficient exposure to regulatory frameworks, limited teaching capacity on transboundary, zoonotic and foodborne diseases, inadequate laboratory training opportunities, limited experience in rural practice settings, and low awareness of diverse career pathways.

Participants generated more than 150 possible solutions, with 90 prioritised for strategic planning. Each solution was refined to define preliminary activities, implementation teams, timelines and expected outputs, creating a structured pathway from ideas to measurable results.

Examples of planned activities over the next three years include:

  • Expanding training opportunities through partnerships with the public and private sector, enabling students and faculty to access field sites, laboratories, farms and technical expertise that the college cannot provide on its own.
  • Co-developing hands-on exercises (e.g. case studies, tabletop exercises) with public and private partners to increase practical application of knowledge and skills in outbreak investigation and response.
  • Inviting external experts, from government, industry and specialty colleges to teach topics where faculty experience and expertise are limited and to raise awareness on careers in veterinary medicine.

These initiatives highlight how collaboration, and particularly public-private partnerships, will be central to implementing the action plan. By exchanging resources, expertise and training opportunities, partners can accelerate improvements in both teaching quality and day-1 readiness. Importantly, the workshop itself served as the first step in building this multistakeholder buy‑in, creating momentum for implementation. UPCVM is already preparing to launch the action plan, supported by strong commitment from both the institution and external partners in both the government and the private sector.

Expanding Regional Impact

As a designated ‘hub’ institution for the AID-1C methodology in the region, UPCVM’s technical team plans to support its implementation throughout South East Asian veterinary schools over the coming years, beginning with other veterinary colleges in the Philippines.  Strengthening curriculum implementation in the region, particularly with a focus on Day‑1 Competencies, is a critical component of capacity building and supports South East Asia’s broader efforts to modernise veterinary education. This investment supports the Veterinary Services, which are essential for protecting global health and enabling safe international trade.

Learn More: For more information on the Focus Forward methodology and previous workshops conducted across Asia and Africa, read the original WOAH Panorama article: Strengthening Veterinary Education to Safeguard Animal and Public Health 

Figure 1. Participants and event planning task force, Calamba City, Philippines.
Figure 2. Focus group identifying needs and solutions for strengthening veterinarians’ Day‑1 readiness.
Figure 3. Participants alongside Dr Ronello Abila, Former WOAH Subregional Representative, showing the organisation’s continued support to the AID-1C initiatives.

References

1. Hoet, A. E., Matos, A., Carderón, A., Rodríguez, C. M. (2026) From data to action – the Focus Forward methodology: a participatory, multistakeholder approach for solution prioritization and action plan development. Frontiers in education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1667571

2. Hoet, A. E., Swisher, S., Berrian, A. M., Bessler, A. L., & Grozdic, I. (2024). Assessment and Implementation of WOAH Day 1 Competencies (AID-1C): a cyclical methodology for curriculum harmonization with international standards. Frontiers in veterinary science, 11, 1390779. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1390779

3. Swisher, S., Bessler, A., Kalley, A., Grozdic, I., Berrian, A., & Hoet, A. E. (2023, February 22). The assessment and implementation of Day-1 competencies (AID-1C) in veterinary education: A scalable and repeatable methodology. WOAH Bulletin – Panorama. World Organisation for Animal Health. Retrieved March 2026, from https://bulletin.woah.org/?panorama=04-2-2-2023-1_aid-1c

Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement for Improved Animal Health and Public Safety

Legal frameworks can enhance veterinary service delivery through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and private-sector engagement. Three studies conducted across Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia reveal that many African and South Asian countries have PPP legal frameworks that could cover PPPs in Veterinary Services. However, reviews of animal disease control and veterinary professionals legislation in Africa and Southeast Asia show that only around half the countries have a legal basis for delegating official disease control responsibilities to private actors. This suggests that most countries could benefit from comprehensive reviews and targeted support programmes for strengthening their national legal frameworks to enable PPPs in Veterinary Services.

In an era of increasing global zoonotic disease threats, timely and efficient veterinary service delivery is paramount. PPPs help to strengthen the capacity of Veterinary Services to do so through pooling resources, expertise and innovation of public institutions and private stakeholders. However, the effectiveness of PPPs in the veterinary sector heavily depends on a robust legal framework that defines roles, responsibilities and accountability mechanisms. Because research remains scant on this important topic, the ensuing paragraphs summarise relevant findings from WOAH legislation reviews. 

WOAH Guidance on PPPs in the Veterinary Domain

WOAH provides comprehensive guidance on PPPs in Veterinary Services. According to the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, competent authorities should, where applicable, possess the authority and capacity to establish and engage in PPPs that deliver animal health, welfare and public health outcomes. A PPP in this context means a collaborative arrangement in which public and private sectors share resources, responsibilities and risks to achieve mutually beneficial objectives.

The WOAH PPP Handbook emphasises the following critical principles, which form the foundation for successful PPPs in the veterinary domain:

  • Good governance through contractual agreements that stipulate clear roles, performance metrics and oversight mechanisms.
  • Transparency and accountability, where all parties are held to high standards through regular reviews, monitoring and legally enforceable provisions.
  • Legislative endorsement in national policies and legislation, which permit and actively encourage the formation and sustainability of PPPs by providing the necessary legal basis for delegating veterinary functions to private actors and supporting long-term investments in public health infrastructure.

Discussion: WOAH Legislation Reviews PPP Legal Frameworks and Veterinary Services

A recent WOAH evaluation scrutinised the existing PPP legal frameworks in selected countries in Africa and South Asia to determine whether they cover veterinary service delivery. PPP legal frameworks were grouped into four categories based on how specific the legislation and/or guidance documents are to PPPs.

Impressively, all countries reviewed regulate PPPs. In Africa, 73% of the countries reviewed adopted a PPP-specific statute, while in South Asia some countries utilise statutory frameworks and others rely on non-statute-based guidance documents. Importantly, the legal frameworks for 80% of the countries examined cover general service delivery beyond infrastructure development. This suggests that many existing national legal frameworks could support the formation of PPPs in Veterinary Services, provided that the services covered include public services.

Delegation of Veterinary Authority in Southeast Asia

WOAH conducted a comprehensive review of animal disease control legislation in Southeast Asia. One factor assessed was whether the legislation permits the delegation of official veterinary duties to non-government actors such as private veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs). This delegation authority is critical during disease outbreaks because it permits rapid scaling of veterinary services and enhanced surveillance.

Fifty percent of the countries reviewed have provisions allowing for such delegation. Some countries explicitly authorise competent authorities to engage private entities for disease control support. Some additionally detail the delegation process, including required competencies, supervision protocols and financing arrangements. However, many countries could benefit from specifying the roles and responsibilities of private actors to clarify their role in national disease control programmes. It is notable that this could be covered in legislation that was out of the scope of this review (e.g. Veterinary Practice Acts).

Regulation of Veterinary Professions in Africa

WOAH’s third legislation review focused on the regulation of veterinary professions in Africa within Veterinary Practice Acts, including whether the legislation provides a legal basis for the delegation of official duties to private veterinarians and VPPs (i.e. sanitary mandates).

Approximately 65% of the countries have no explicit legal basis in the legislation reviewed for delegating official veterinary duties to private actors. Existing provisions are often limited to private veterinarians (i.e. they do not include VPPs). This is an important gap because the majority of the veterinary workforce on the continent are not veterinarians. Similarly, the legislation reviewed for around 70% of the countries prevents non-veterinarians from performing activities typically reserved for licensed veterinarians during emergencies.

These findings highlight the need for comprehensive legislative reforms allowing for temporary or emergency delegation of veterinary duties to private actors. This would enhance the capacity of Veterinary Services during crises and help build public trust by ensuring clear and consistent roles for all practitioners.

Summary of Findings

The WOAH PPP legislation review reveal that generally national PPP legal frameworks in Africa and South Asia could cover veterinary service delivery. However, the legislation reviews in Southeast Asia and Africa show that despite the differing scopes of legislation reviewed (i.e. legislation covering animal diseases and veterinary professionals) half or less of the legislation permits delegation of official veterinary functions to non-government actors (50% and 35%, respectively). These last two studies, despite different geographic and legislative scopes, show similar findings on the question of delegation to private stakeholders, leading to less engagement of these actors in veterinary service delivery. These insights collectively underscore that there are significant opportunities for countries to strengthen PPP legal frameworks for veterinary service delivery.

Recommendations

To fully harness the potential of PPPs in Veterinary Services, national governments should conduct thorough reviews of their veterinary and PPP-related policy and legal frameworks to ensure that all provisions necessary for effective collaboration are in place. Specifically, countries should:

  • Strengthen Delegation Mechanisms, ensuring veterinary legislation clearly defines the conditions under which veterinary functions may be delegated to private veterinarians and VPPs, particularly during emergencies.
  • Enhance Private Sector Engagement through policy and legal frameworks enabling private sector participation in Veterinary Services through private investment and expertise.
  • Participate in WOAH PPP and Legislation Targeted Support Programmes, which WOAH should continue to develop through additional global reviews of legal frameworks for PPPs and veterinary service delivery, offering tailored assistance to countries.

Conclusions and Way Forward

The evolution of Veterinary Services in the 21st century will depend largely on successful collaboration between public authorities and the private sector through PPPs. A strong legal framework is a critical enabling factor for the creation and sustainability of PPPs supporting effective veterinary service delivery.

The WOAH legislation reviews demonstrate that significant strides have been made across Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia to enable private sector involvement in veterinary service delivery but major gaps remain, including delegation to the private sector.

National governments must therefore prioritise the review and/or creation of legal frameworks enabling PPPs in the veterinary domain, complemented by clear guidance procedures to operationalise PPPs, ensuring consistency, accountability and transparency in service delivery. This will accordingly allow these PPPs to help enhance collaboration and trust between public authorities and private actors, thereby improving veterinary service delivery, strengthening disease control mechanisms, and contributing to global efforts to combat zoonotic diseases and ensure food security.

More information

The OIE PPP Handbook: Guidelines for Public-Private Partnerships in the Veterinary Domain, 2019. Available in English, French and Spanish

Contact: Rahul Srivastava ([email protected]), Public-Private Partnership Project, Capacity-Building Department

Authors: Kelsey Galantich (FAO), Rahul Srivastava (WOAH), David Sherman (retired)

Photo © Keith Hamilton

Delegates and Veterinary Services’ staff adapted innovative uses of PVS data for more bankable investment cases in animal health

The PVS Pathway Information System (PVS IS) has been presented to Delegates and Veterinary Services’ staff from Samarkand to Qingdao to Quito for more impactful and bankable project development to improve animal health and welfare.

The European and American Experience

Members and Stakeholders participated in several workshops around the world this fall. At the 31st Conference of the Regional Commission of Europe, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 2 October, and at the 27th Conference of the Regional Commission of the Americas, in Quito, Ecuador on 29 November, Delegates, Veterinary Services’ (VS) staff, and WOAH Partners took advantage of a workshop on uses of PVS data for strategic advocacy and investments in animal health. The participants discovered interactive dashboards and newly developed indicators that can help promote the needs and actions of the Veterinary Services.

The Chinese and African Experience

At the China Experience Sharing Workshop in the PVS Pathway and implementation updates held in October this year, participants tested the system and familiarised themselves with the PVS IS in a training environment. The system was perfectly adapted to the Chinese language, allowing participants to easily discover the recommendations and findings. This demonstrates the system’s adaptability and flexibility for national use and its ability to overcome language barriers.

At the Continental Conference Towards a More Resilient Veterinary Workforce for Africa late last November, attendees were exposed to newly available performance data based on PVS indicators of African Members, including global and regional veterinary workforce, education, legislation, regulation and communication. The conference showcased PVS data, presented throughout the plenary and thematic sessions, and highlighted opportunities for action and progress.

Empowering users for greater impact, action and investor confidence

Members’ positive experiences with PVS data housed in the PVS IS reinforce why WOAH developed the system: so that digitalisation of PVS data would lead to empowerment and greater impact and action. Failure to create attractive investment cases is a key bottleneck for the development of the VS globally. Evidence-based investment cases are key to meeting infrastructure and service gaps. Inspiring confidence among investors, demonstrating financial viability and promoting accountability and transparency triggers a virtuous investment cycle. A well-resourced, transparent and accountable VS can provide millions of people with access to key services they lack to impact their livelihoods and improve animal health and welfare. The trainings showed that PVS data can support Members in their ability to create bankable and investment-ready projects.

Recognition of the rich and invaluable data in the PVS IS is growing. The Pandemic Fund has recently included PVS indicators of Veterinary Services in its Results Framework for critical animal health and One Health activities for WOAH’s Members. This inclusion resulted in US$ 140 million invested in 11 Members in 2023, with more investments expected this year. 

* * *
Contact: Jennifer Lasley ([email protected] or [email protected]), Valentyna Sharandak and Barbara Alessandrini, WOAH Capacity Building Department

WOAH recognises the crucial role of adequately trained Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in promoting animal health and supporting veterinary services. To enhance the skills and knowledge of CAHWs, WOAH has developed Competency and Curriculum Guidelines. These guidelines will serve to enhance CAHWs skills, effectiveness and their proper integration within the veterinary workforce. This initiative aims to strengthen Veterinary Services, especially in rural and underserved areas, by ensuring that CAHWs are well-equipped to provide essential animal healthcare. 

With this new initiative, there are many more novelties in the pipeline from WOAH and its partners, Vétérinaires sans Frontières International and the Ohio State University.  

To disseminate these updates globally, WOAH hosted three webinars to launch the guidelines.

Watch the replay

WOAH Competency and Curricula Guidelines for Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs): updates, launch webinars and the next steps
The World Organisation for Animal Health is pleased to present the WOAH Competency and Curricula Guidelines for Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs). These guidelines will serve to enhance CAHWs skills, effectiveness and their proper integration within the veterinary workforce. This initiative aims to strengthen Veterinary Services, especially in rural and underserved areas, by ensuring that CAHWs are well-equipped to provide essential animal healthcare.

With this new initiative, there are more novelties in the pipeline from WOAH and its partners, Vétérinaires sans Frontières International and the Ohio State University. To disseminate these updates globally, WOAH will host three launch webinars in English, Spanish and French. Do you want to know more? Keep reading and register for our dedicated webinars in the links available in this article!
Enhancing CAHWs’ participation with newly published guidelines

The recent publication of the WOAH Competency and Curriculum Guidelines are a significant step in empowering CAHWs. In countries and regions where veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals are in short supply, CAHWs can play a crucial role in safeguarding animal health in remote, rural and resource-limited areas, often serving as the first line of defense against disease outbreaks.

By offering competency-based curriculum guidelines, WOAH aims to professionalise and standardise the competencies required of these workers, allowing them to better serve their communities and contribute to broader public health goals

The main objective of these guidelines is to provide guidance on the training of CAHWs to ensure their core competencies so that their communities have confidence in their abilities and the Veterinary Services has a basis for assessing their qualifications.  As such, the guidelines help to promote the acceptance and use of CAHWs as an important cadre for the delivery of animal health services.

Access the English version of the guidelines. NB: the French and Spanish versions are in the process of being published.

Launch Webinars: Reaching Global Audiences

To promote these guidelines, WOAH will host three launch webinars in English, Spanish, and French. These webinars will be crucial in disseminating the good news to a diverse and global audience. The multilingual approach allowed stakeholders from various regions to access the information in their preferred language, ensuring better comprehension and engagement.

During the webinars, experts from WOAH will outline the importance of CAHWs and the content of these guidelines, explaining how the new competencies would enhance the work of CAHWs in real-world scenarios.

Register for the WOAH Guidelines for Community Animal Health Workers Webinar:

Next Steps for WOAH and CAHWs

Following the launch of the CAHWs guidelines, WOAH is focused on the next steps of this project.

  • A guide for trainers of CAHWs is in the process of being developed. This material is crucial because it ensures standardised training that equips CAHWs with essential skills for animal care. It will be useful to maintain consistency across different regions and contexts and will ensure that trainers are well-prepared to support CAHWs in ongoing education and career development.
  • Our partner Vétérinaires sans Frontières International (VSF-Int) has finalised the creation of a Handbook for planning and managing CAHWs programmes. This product will be launched in the upcoming weeks and will be useful to provide a broader picture of what is necessary to ensure the
    quality and sustainability of CAHW activities beyond the WOAH guidelines.
  • Finally, the objective of Phase Two of this project will be to develop an online tool for the use and uptake of the WOAH Competency and Curricula guidelines by target audiences, most notably CAHW training institutions as well as statutory bodies that might certify CAHWs. This tool will be developed by the Ohio State University by October 2025 and will allow CAHWs trainers to assess the alignment of their courses with the WOAH competency framework and identify gaps and strengths.

The WOAH guidelines for CAHWs marks the third phase of WOAH’s commitment to develop competency and curriculum guidelines for the key cadres of veterinary personnel that contribute to the performance of Veterinary Services. The Guidelines for veterinarians were developed in 2012-2013 and the Guidelines for Veterinary Paraprofessionals in 2018-2019.  This overall effort underscores WOAH’s recognition that well-trained personnel are essential to the effective and efficient operation of national Veterinary Services.

More information

Better understanding and defining the role of community animal health workers as part of strengthening frontline Veterinary Services, Bulletin article

Guidelines for Community Animal Health Workers, Bulletin article

Contact: Capacity Building Department ([email protected])

Photo: ©FAO

 
Let’s learn the smart way!
Capacity building is at the core of WOAH’s mandate. Applying an innovative approach to learning about epidemiological issues in a One Health environment, WOAH has teamed up with the French public research institution, Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD) and the game designer, Bioviva, to develop the ALERT Game within the EBO-SURSY Project in 2021. To date, more than 40 animal and human healthcare professionals have been trained to facilitate this game in Africa, and more than 500 people have played in sessions worldwide. Growing interest from external partners  inspired WOAH to organise a four-hour game session last June for stakeholders of the MediLabSecure project* funded by the European Union (EU) and led by the Institut Pasteur.
Growing exposure to broader audiences

Initially tailored for local communities to raise awareness on their roles in wildlife disease surveillance systems, the ALERT game found a broader audience when it was disseminated across ten African countries, targeted by the EBO-SURSY Project. It reached animal and human healthcare professionals, as well as wildlife conservation professionals and paraprofessionals. The game was also used at WOAH Wildlife Focal Points seminars in Africa, Asia and Europe, at the WOAH Global Conference on Emergency Management organised in Paris in 2023, and most recently by the WOAH Rabies Project Team in Cameroon.

WOAH teams up with CIRAD to facilitate 16 game sessions

Enhancing links between WOAH’s EBO-SURSY Project and Institut Pasteur’s MediLabSecure Project, the ALERT game was introduced to MediLabSecure’s stakeholders and beneficiaries at their closing meeting last June. joined WOAH to set up a team of five staff to facilitate the 16 game sessions. Hosting the game requires specific training as well as a good understanding of the game rules and the concept of surveillance systems to generate fruitful interactions between participants.

Ultimately, the outcome – whether participants win or lose – is not the main focus. The most important part of the game is being able to pinpoint issues and solutions while engaging in discussions to guide decision-making across sectors to control the progression of disease. Key to ensuring a successful game session is high-quality facilitation, to engage participants and generate discussions, while answering players’ questions about unfamiliar epidemiological situations. A specific scenario was prepared by the facilitation team ahead of the workshop to produce a streamlined surveillance chain and to facilitate understanding of the concept. The first game session was played with community-level cards, after which another session was proposed with all four card levels: community, local, regional and national. Each session began with a brief introduction of the game, followed by one hour of game play.

Animal and human health sectors playing together

The four sessions were attended by nearly 100 participants from 22 countries in the Mediterranean region. Each session consisted of four groups, with five to six individuals per group. One group conducted discussions in French, while the other three groups played in English. Participants had diverse profiles, mostly laboratory professionals from human and animal health sectors, but also from public research institutes and universities. Their varied backgrounds brought different perspectives, which generated fruitful discussions. Indeed, the game aims to demonstrate the importance of One Health collaboration in real-world scenarios, emphasising the interconnectedness of human, environmental and animal health. The goal of the game is to enhance integrated approaches to public health challenges.

Positive participant feedback

Twenty-nine participants shared their feedback via a questionnaire developed by a CIRAD PhD student from Cameroon, who is studying the impact of the game on surveillance systems in Guinea and Cameroon as part of the EBO-SURSY Project. Results showed that 86% of participants found the game impactful, and 100% reported that it was enjoyable. In addition, expressed interest in playing the game with their colleagues back at home. As part of its post-seminar feedback, the MediLabSecure Management Team highlighted the game’s popularity:

Participants really enjoyed the presentation of the ALERT game. In the satisfaction questionnaire, it emerged as one of the most popular sessions of the entire three-day meeting.

What’s next for ALERT and MediLabSecure? Establishing a sustainable bridge between two EU initiatives

Ongoing discussions between WOAH and the Institut Pasteur aim to identify the best strategy for pursuing this initial exposure to the ALERT game. This will be carried out during the next phase of the MediLabSecure project and the upcoming ZOOSURSY project. Additionally, facilitator training sessions may be organised to ensure the sustainable dissemination of the game in the region. Successful dissemination of the ALERT game elevates WOAH’s profile, illustrates its expertise and demonstrates its capacity-building impact on surveillance systems stakeholders. The game is one of the success stories of the EBO-SURSY Project.

Participants playing the ALERT Game © WOAH/F. Diaz

*Funded by the EU, MediLabSecure was launched 10 years ago to mitigate emerging biological risks in the Mediterranean, Balkans, Black Sea, Maghreb and Sahel regions.  

Main photo: Veterinarian and public health laboratory experts playing the ALERT Game © WOAH/S. Muset

Significant strides made towards improving Veterinary Services’ outcomes through more accessible and useful PVS data

The PVS Pathway Information System (PVS IS) has been launched on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the World Organisation for Animal Health at the 91st General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates.

WOAH developed the PVS Information System so that its digitalisation could lead to greater impact of the PVS Pathway. Through innovative data visualisation and analysis techniques, WOAH has unlocked valuable text data. This allows governments, investors and partners to access, use and act upon the recommendations more easily, efficiently and strategically.

Offering complete documentation of the performance of the Veterinary Services, PVS reports contain insights and recommendations that have been useful to governments, investors and partners of the Veterinary Services. However, it has been challenging to explore, summarise and implement this rich data and the recommendations on how to improve the performance and quality of the Veterinary Services according to the WOAH International Standards due to its text format. 

Given WOAH’s efforts to make PVS data more accessible and useful according to the PVS Pathway programme’s Theory of Change, significant efforts were mobilised to achieve its goal of improved Veterinary Services, health and welfare and livelihoods. PVS data has never been more accessible and useful for Members’ Veterinary Services to advocate for and prioritise their investments in the veterinary domain. WOAH continues to digitalise the PVS Pathway for its Members’ use and benefit.

Establishing trends through the PVS Monitoring Cycle

A major benefit of the PVS Information System is the development of key performance indicators to assist Delegates in understanding their VS progress since their first PVS Evaluation. The PVS Monitoring Cycle regularly monitors Veterinary Services performance through PVS Initial and Follow-up Evaluations every 5 years. Next a targeting and costing exercise, the PVS Gap Analysis and Update, focuses investments and efforts according to established and costed activities and work plans.  

Dynamic dashboards to explore trends and insights on VS performance

Migrating past data from all PVS Evaluation type reports (n=212 since 2006) was prioritised to preserve the precious trend data used by so many VS partners and stakeholders around the world – including the World Bank, Pandemic Fund, WHO, FAO, The Gates Foundation and others – for critical agriculture, health and One Health activities for WOAH’s Members. 

The trend data at the national, regional and global levels is featured in the dozens of visualisations developed, based on the PVS Levels of Advancement (LOA) and recommendations, strengths and weaknesses analysed. This insight allows Delegates, Partners and WOAH to use PVS data for action and investment at the VS level, decision making and improved development of WOAH’s International Standards.

Future PVS reports with more actionable recommendations and cleaner reporting

Work continues to automate processes so that implementation of PVS missions will become easier than ever. The automation of processes related to travel, security, budget, accounting, correspondence, expert selection and more will make the process more efficient, reducing errors and delays. Moreover, online data collection and report forms are under development for all future initial and Follow-up PVS Evaluation-type missions, and dashboards will feature real-time data insights. 

Stay tuned for updates and training opportunities!

Contact: Jennifer Lasley ([email protected]) and Barbara Alessandrini, WOAH Capacity Building Department

Enabling Delegates to access and explore their PVS data like never before, empowering them to make informed decisions

Offering complete documentation of the performance of the Veterinary Services, PVS reports contain insights and recommendations used by governments, investors and partners to advocate for and prioritise their investments in the veterinary domain. Such recommendations have resulted in many success stories over the rich 18-year history of the PVS Pathway programme. 

The impact of WOAH’s flagship capacity-building programme

To further document the impact of the programme according to its theory of change, WOAH initiated the PVS Pathway Recommendations Impact Evaluation. Here, current Delegates were asked to share their perceptions of the outputs, outcomes and impact of the recommendations resulting from their latest PVS report. This survey will contribute to our baseline understanding of programme impact before the global launch of the PVS Information System (PVSIS), targeted for May 2024. 

Preliminary results show that 93% of respondents were satisfied with the recommendations given in PVS reports. Furthermore, 56% attributed all or most of the changes observed in their Veterinary Services (VS) to their engagement in the PVS Pathway, and 71% are hopeful to achieve all or most of the PVS recommendations. The vast majority of respondents (98%) reported that the PVS recommendations made by PVS Experts and presented in PVS reports have had a positive impact on their ability to take concrete actions to improve the performance of their Veterinary Services/Aquatic Animal Health Services. After their latest PVS activity, 39% reported an increase in their financial resources.

Figure 1: the PVS Pathway Recommendations Impact Evaluation survey results.

However, digitalisation and automation can lead to greater impact, which is why WOAH has developed the PVS Information System. Through innovative data visualisation and analysis techniques, WOAH has unlocked valuable text data. This allows governments, investors and partners to access, use and act upon the recommendations more easily, efficiently and strategically.

A vast array of features and visualisations for prioritisation

 The key features of the PVSIS allow users to:

  • view all past PVS reports in .pdf;
  • see historical PVS Pathway engagement;
  • preview Evaluation reports through collapsible and expandable features;
  • explore Critical Competencies and Levels of Advancement;
  • explore recommendations, strengths, weaknesses and findings for each Critical Competency;
  • view performance data and trends across historical data for the first time through dashboards, based on data extracted from PVS reports.

The implementation of PVS missions will become easier than ever. The automation of processes related to travel, security, budget, accounting, correspondence, expert selection and more will make the process more efficient, reducing errors and delays. Moreover, online data collection and report forms are under development for all future initial and Follow-up PVS Evaluation-type missions, and dashboards will feature real-time data insights. 

Security and trust at the heart of the System

 The PVSIS is designed to maintain the same level of confidentiality that Members have already established for all existing PVS reports. While the System allows each Member to view their data securely, they will not have permission to view any other Member’s identifiable data. All interactive dashboards will present all PVS data anonymously and grouped as a cohort analysis, to respect each Member’s preferences and confidentiality.

Delegates who have engaged with the PVS Pathway since 2006 have received instructions on how to connect to the System. We invite them to explore the portal and verify the information’s accuracy. Members with feedback or questions are invited to contact with any queries related to using the data in the System. Likewise, if they are interested in participating in the WOAH PVS Pathway Recommendations Impact Evaluation Survey.

A soft launch will progressively unveil the Information System to WOAH’s network – its staff, Members, PVS experts, partners, and donors – before culminating in its global launch in May 2024.

Stay tuned for updates and training opportunities!

Contact: Jennifer Lasley ([email protected]) and Barbara Alessandrini, WOAH Capacity-Building Department

A new frontier for the WOAH Workforce Development Programme

This April, the WOAH Competency and curricula guidelines for Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) will be available to all Members, as well as veterinary and continuing education establishments. These guidelines will aid the development of competency-based training for CAHWs.

Launched in 2020, WOAH’s workforce development programme supports Members in strengthening their ‘enabling environments’ to foster well-integrated and well-functioning workforces. Whilst WOAH’s earlier work focused on veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals, it recently identified the need to also recognise the role of Community Animal Health Workers in local animal health systems. Consequently, WOAH partnered with the leading NGO in the field of CAHW training, Vétérinaires sans Frontières International. The partnership has led to the creation of competency and curricula guidelines for CAHWs, via an ad hoc group in the framework of the project ‘Strengthening the enabling environment for CAHWs through the development of competency and curricula guidelines’ (funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance).

As we approach the publication of the new guidelines, we are keen to present to you the highlights of the venture.

As part of the Organisation’s directive to build capacities in the veterinary workforce, WOAH has placed greater emphasis on competency-based training. In this vein, WOAH has published recommendations on the Competencies of graduating veterinarians, as well as Competency and Curricula Guidelines for Veterinary Paraprofessionals (VPPs).

However, the need for a third component emerged. Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) are a key global workforce, delivering last-mile animal health services. Though their legal status varies from country to country, they are frontline service providers who carry out basic animal health care and take part in vaccination and deworming campaigns[1].

WOAH assembled an ad hoc group of experts on CAHWs to develop competency and curriculum guidelines. A multi-step selection process and extensive criteria ensured the group’s varied regional and gender representation and expertise across the required competencies. As a result, the ad hoc group comprises diverse and multidisciplinary professionals, including veterinarians, pedagogic experts and policymakers.

Across a series of meetings, the group worked on shaping the working dynamic of this innovative veterinary workforce initiative. The ad hoc adopted a collaborative approach and based its work on an extensive review of the training programmes and curricula provided to CAHWs worldwide, with a focus on Africa and Asia with recommendations for improved practices. They evaluated challenges faced by CAHWs and the potential benefits of improved competency and standardised curricula. The group’s diverse viewpoints led to a constructive dialogue and a more comprehensive understanding of existing knowledge gaps.

Involving WOAH Members in the development process

A key factor to arise was an emphasis on participatory decision-making. The group recognised the importance of involving WOAH Members in the development process. This inclusive approach ensured that the guidelines and competencies would not only be practical but would also reflect real-world challenges. To this end, WOAH Members were surveyed with a questionnaire to collate data on the following topics: CAHWs’ involvement in Veterinary Services, the regulation of CAHWs in Member countries, and Member expectations on the challenges and opportunities of CAHW involvement in the veterinary workforce.

The CAHWs competency and curricula guidelines will be launched by April 2024. These publications are organised across 11 modules, each with 40 units. The guidelines describe 23 core CAHW competencies and 17 additional competencies. Each of these competencies has 71 core and 48 additional learning outcomes. The eleven modules cover an extensive scope, outlining the following areas of CAHWs involvement: CAHW scope of work; Basic principles of animal health; Animal husbandry and production; Basic clinical and husbandry procedures; Basic animal disease management; Sampling procedures; Veterinary Medicinal Products (VMP); Population disease management; Keeping food safe; Engagement with the community; and Running a sustainable service.

Currently, regional field consultations are being carried out to assess the alignment of the guidelines with existing CAHW curricula and training materials. These consultations will gather feedback from intended users on the proposed curriculum content and format, as well as its suitability for user-specific contexts.

The guidelines will provide a basis by which CAHW training can be improved and assessed. Overall, the aim is to promote better recognition and acceptance of CAHWs as important and useful members of the veterinary workforce.

Contact: Xyomara Chavez ([email protected]), Capacity-Building Department

Cover photo:  The ad hoc group working session. © WOAH/X. Chavez

(Front row left to right) David Sherman, Andy Catley, Xyomara Chavez, Barbara Alessandrini, Elise Le Bihan, Nandipha Ndudane, Jean-Philippe Dop, Satender Arya, Véronique Renault, (Back row left to right) Tim Leyland, Alexia Rondeau, Robyn Alders and Chris Bartels – © WOAH

17th Regional Commission for the Middle East Conference, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1–5 October 2023
WOAH urged conference members to collaborate across sectors, strengthen financial mechanisms, and invest in the national Veterinary Services in a targeted manner. It also encouraged them to leverage the support provided by the Organisation to mobilise their national authorities and ensure adequate funding for these Veterinary Services.

Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities for two main technical items: One Health and Sustainability of Veterinary Services. They developed two recommendations that will be presented to the World Assembly of Delegates for endorsement in May 2024.

One Health implementation – antimicrobial resistance and rabies

As the One Health approach recognises the interconnection between animal, human and environmental health, cross-sectoral collaboration is critical to ensure effective implementation of the One Health National Action Plans. Participants identified two priorities: antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and rabies control. Both require multi-sectoral coordination under the One Health approach.

The Middle East Region aims to lead on AMR and will work to further the recently signed Gulf Cooperation Council plan to address outbreaks of resistant microbes in the animal health field. The Commission commended the plan and expressed interest in it becoming the first inter-ministerial regional network on AMR.

The Conference also acknowledged the challenges of dog population management for rabies elimination and encouraged the use of WOAH tools and standards to support this goal. Sustained dog vaccination is a critical element for eliminating dog-mediated rabies. Delegates were reminded about the different tools available, including capacity building activities and the United Against Rabies Forum.

Sustainability of Veterinary Services

The Commission recognised the need for governments to develop a regional strategy to promote cooperation, collaboration and solidarity among regional Members. It also emphasised the necessity for Members to further engage in the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway, to update and complete their legislative and regulatory frameworks, which will increase the authority of each element in the veterinary domain.

WOAH Delegates unanimously recognised the critical need to strengthen existing national financial mechanisms and actively seek alternative financial arrangements. The conference called for action by Members and partners to consider potential regional investment opportunities. Finance opportunities through the Pandemic and One Heath Funds were mentioned along with practical information on how to approach finance. The importance of identifying the beneficiaries of the investments was stressed to better guide Veterinary Services to identify the origin of funds, including potential support from the private sector.

Targeted regional investment

There is a need to invest in the Middle East region through the World Fund. Targeted intra-regional investments could support regional strategies, coordination and harmonisation. This could position the Region as a global leader in animal health and biosecurity and ensure the intensification of WOAH activities.

Multiple avenues for investing in WOAH were also discussed, ranging from statutory contributions to extraordinary and voluntary contributions. These investments could fund targeted projects aligned with national and/or regional goals in the context of solidarity.

It is key to engage with respective ministries and stakeholders to articulate the compelling benefits of investing in WOAH. This will increase the understanding and appreciation of WOAH’s mandate, role and the added value of regional membership.

More information

The conference was held with the generous support of the hosting government and brought together 57 participants, including WOAH Delegates and representatives of regional and international organisations, as well as of the private sector.

WOAH Director General Dr Monique Eloit reminded Members of the Organisation’s mission to improve animal health globally and build a safer, healthier and more sustainable world. Veterinary Services in the region must strengthen their capacities and capabilities to implement policies and strategies for animal health and welfare, Veterinary Public Health and international trade.

Dr Sanad Al-Harbi, the President of the Regional Commission and Delegate of Saudi Arabia, closed by saying that the conference was a valuable opportunity for the Regional Commission for the Middle East to exchange views and experiences on the key topics and to reaffirm its commitment to improving animal health in the region.

Contact: WOAH Regional Activities Department ([email protected])

Main photo (left to right): Dr Monique Eloit, Dr Sanad Al-Harbi and Dr Fajer Sabah Al Salloom © 2023/Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, Saudi Arabia