Background

The project was established in collaboration with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), and operates in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Tanzania, empowering local stakeholders and fostering economic viability. 

Livestock systems play a significant role in rural livelihoods and the economies of developing countries. The global cost of livestock disease is estimated in billions of dollars, and interventions to improve animal health will benefit both human health and food sustainability.

Firstly, by reducing zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and emerging diseases. Secondly, by improving the efficiency of livestock production, reducing the negative environmental impacts and contributing to economic gains at multiple levels. Zoonotic diseases occur at the animal – human interface. Functional health systems must include a bridge of collaboration at least between human- and veterinary authorities if they shall efficiently target zoonotic disease for the good of public health.

Download factsheet for the OH-Milk Project 

Based on discussions and mapping exercises with partners in Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI) proposed the initiation of four interlinked “areas for action” that together will help improve animal health and food safety, strengthen the veterinary services and operationalise One Health (OH).

• Implementer and Financial support

  Implementer:

  The project is implemented by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI) under an agreement with Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation (Norad).
  
  Financial support:

  This publication has been produced with the financial support from Norway.
  
  Partners:

  Malawi: Trustees of Agricultural Promotion Program (TAPP), Central Veterinary
  Laboratory of Malawi (CVL) and Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM).
  
  Ethiopia: Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI ), Animal Health Institute (AHI) and Addis Ababa University (AAU).
  
  Tanzania: Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA), Sokoine University of Agriculture and Tanzania Dairy Board.

  Duration: 2022-2027

  Location: Norway, Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania

  

• Map Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania

  

Project goal

The overall aim of this regional project is to use a One Health approach to contribute to sustainable production of safe milk for food security, improved nutrition, increased animal and human health by empowering local stakeholders and fostering economic viability.

OH-Milk four strategic outcomes (OUT)

• OUT 1 - Operational One Health Platforms for coordinated control of zoonoses and AMR in the milk value chain

  Objective: To operationalize the OH platform for communication and collaboration necessary for sharing information and responsibilities to deal with zoonoses and infectious diseases affecting the milk value chain.

  Expected outputs:

  • Stakeholder map relevant for OH and collaborations for zoonotic diseases in the milk value chain, describing their role, function, collaborations, communication pathways and any shared inter sectoral responsibilities
  • Country- and context specific prioritization of zoonotic disease and AMR challenges in the milk value chain
  • Defined gaps in the OH system necessary to deal with zoonoses in the milk value chain and defined training needs.
  •  A country specific syllabus developed to fill the gaps, and purpose-made courses designed and the training is implemented.
• OUT 2 – Capacity for surveillance of AMR, antimicrobial use and infectious diseases in the milk value chain

  Objective: To establish procedures for collecting samples, reporting and analysing data and results for zoonotic diseases and other important pathogens from dairy animals and milk.

  Expected outputs:

  • A detailed description of existing surveillance systems with qualitative and quantitative assessment of the system describing the strengths and weaknesses
  • A roadmap for strengthening surveillance systems across veterinary and public health sectors.
  • Identified training needs, developing and piloting field epidemiology-training programs and other courses for animal health personnel /veterinarians, collaborating public health officials.
• OUT 3 – Capacity to detect zoonotic diseases through laboratory investigations

  Objective: To improve capacities for diagnostic investigations, for zoonotic diseases and AMR relevant to the milk value chain.

  Expected Outputs:

  • Stakeholder map of relevant central and regional laboratories and their functionalities, strengths and weaknesses.
  • Defined training needs, and syllabus as well as a roadmap for implementation.
• OUT 4 – Veterinary services surrounding primary producers of the milk value chain has been established

  Objectives: To accelerate investment in the milk value chain by improving national disease control in dairy animals through empowering the veterinary services.

  Expected Outputs:

  • Relevant partners have been identified for collaborative partnership & target veterinary service chains have been selected; their status and needs have been mapped.
  • A strategic plan for interventions to strengthen the services along the chain from farmer to central veterinary authorities has been made.
  • Training needs have been defined, training of animal health personnel has been commenced and  the impacts of training have been assessed.