5 February 2009

3 minute read

The evaluations conducted so far have revealed a wide variety of shortcomings in the countries visited with respect to the OIE's international standards of quality, says an OIE report. Nevertheless, the overall impression is that the veterinary education curricula in many countries are failing to keep pace with those countries' requirements in terms of capacity of the Veterinary Services in the fields of animal disease surveillance, including zoonoses, and early detection of infectious disease outbreaks and rapid response.

"These requirements – all too often unmet – also include food safety inspection, animal welfare and environmental protection", says Bernard Vallat. "Furthermore, in addition to technical excellence, veterinarians involved in national animal health systems need a far broader general education to give them a better grasp of the mechanisms of governance at both the national (legislation, chain of command, budget, communication) and international level (Organisations, international standards). Also, in view of the ever increasing threats that zoonoses represent it is of utmost importance that veterinarians ensure a leading role within control strategies in cooperation with all relevant sectors, especially the medical world."

Given that the Veterinary Services, as defined by the OIE, encompass both the public and private sector components of national animal health systems, the whole of the veterinary profession needs to be involved in meeting these requirements, which have such crucial worldwide implications, he says.

The evaluations carried out so far also highlight the considerable need that exists for continuing professional education, to ensure that the relevant know-how of all those involved is constantly updated to keep pace with these new requirements.

It is important therefore to ensure that, at a worldwide level, initial and continuing veterinary education provides everyone with curricula designed to meet the needs of society as a whole, rather than being based solely on the current demands of the labour market, which can vary from one moment to another and from one country to another.

To contribute to this important topic, the OIE has decided to hold a Conference, on 12, 13 and 14 October 2009 , and invite the deans of all the world's veterinary universities and schools (estimated at 500), along with the institutional managers in charge of developing veterinary teaching programmes in Member Countries and Territories, to discuss these issues and agree on a minimum curriculum for all veterinarians, whatever educational establishment in the world provides the initial training. "Indeed, it is important to reach a global consensus on what steps can be taken to stop certain countries awarding ‘third-rate' veterinary diplomas and ensure that these diplomas are delivered on the basis of effective high level know-how that meets societal needs. Representatives of the various direct beneficiaries of animal health and animal welfare programmes (animal producers, processors, consumers, other non-governmental organisations) will also be welcome at the Conference", said Mr Vallat.

"The question of what mechanisms can be used to monitor the content and quality of training will also be raised during the Conference as the starting point for discussions on which mechanisms to recommend for the future."

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