Each year, the ECOWAS Regional Animal Health Centre (RAHC) organizes the meeting of the Regional Animal Health Networks (RAHN). The 10th annual meeting, held in Nigeria from November 11 to 15, 2024, focused on the delicate theme of "human resources as weak links in the performance of veterinary services in West Africa: what prospects?".
Participants discussed several issues: the current workforce of veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals, the governance of veterinary services, trends and developments in the veterinary profession and the services offered to society. According to the results of the study on the demography of veterinary personnel carried out by RAHC in ten (10) ECOWAS Member States, an alarming picture emerges of a gradual decline in staff numbers (the current need is over 4,000 veterinarians in public services) combined with an ageing workforce (average age estimated at over 50). These factors are seriously compromising the ability of the veterinary services to fulfil their regalian mission of protecting the health of humans and animals.
The shortcomings and difficulties identified led to recommendations being made to the various players involved. Countries undertook to: (i) draw up, harmonize, adopt and apply (as appropriate) regulations governing the practice of the veterinary profession, (ii) promote the veterinary profession to encourage young people to take up veterinary training, (iii) encourage the mobility of veterinarians from countries with sufficient veterinary human resources to countries with a shortage, (iv) promote public-private partnerships (veterinary health mandates, etc.) and (v) lobby decision-makers for effective involvement of animal health experts in the formulation of livestock development projects with technical and financial partners.
The meeting also recommended harmonizing training curricula for veterinarians and para-veterinary professionals, considering the specificities of member states and integrating the "One Health" approach, climate change and technological innovations.
In line with its mandate, RAHC will facilitate the implementation of existing ECOWAS texts on the free movement and installation of veterinary professionals in States with a shortage of veterinary personnel, and advocate for the strengthening of human resources in State veterinary services.
