FAO in 5-year livestock lab improvement project

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has embarked on a five-year project to provide technical support on improvement of laboratory livestock services through capacity building.

A statement from FAO made available to The Nation yesterday says the project, titled ‘Global Health Security Programme’ implemented in collaboration with the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

Coordinator for the project Dr Marvin Phonera is quoted in the statement as having said the move is crucial in assessing livestock laboratories.

FAO regional laboratory specialist Joshua Kimutai is also quoted as having said that the team administered an assessment tool to understand the laboratory scope in the country, in collaboration with local technical officers.

Malawi is a new member of the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases under which the programme is being implemented.n