This is one of the statistics highlighted by the President of the African Veterinary Technicians Association, Benson Ameda from Kenya, during the World Organisation for Animal Health’s regional conference in Pretoria last week. 

The organisation, also known as the OIE, focussed on the role of veterinary para-professionals in Africa. Ameda says tick related animal deaths cause huge economic losses for the continent:

“We lose up to $168-billion (about R2,2-trillion) from tick-borne diseases. Every 30 seconds one cow dies from a tick-borne disease, so in the time I have been here with you, at least five animals are dead.

“This is something that, if we involve the veterinary para-professionals, then we will be able to save this money.”

*Benson Ameda - losses

He says veterinary para-professionals, which range from animal health technologists to community-based animal health workers, can make a significant difference in combatting tick related livestock deaths through extension work.

Ameda says last week’s conference was a first of its kind and a milestone event in terms of giving recognition to veterinary para-professionals:

“Some countries in Africa have never recognised the role of veterinary para-professionals, yet they are the persons who actually do all the work and some countries have no veterinary surgeons, so their role is key.

“This conference was actually meant to recognise, to sensitise – not only the world bodies, but also the veterinary authorities – that the role para-professionals are playing is important and must be recognised not only by word of mouth, but by legislation.”

*Benson Ameda – recognition

Sabrina Dean/OFM News