By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is building capacity in Veterinary experts to operate regional laboratories that have been constructed around the country.
Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr Swithine Kabilika said this will develop and strengthen diagnostic skills of regional.
“I wish to pay tribute to FAO and government for constructing regional diagnostic laboratories as they will help in fighting livestock diseases, seven regional diagnostic laboratories have been constructed in Mongu, Kasama, Chipata, Choma, Isoka and Ndola to ensure disease control and human protection,” he said
Dr Kabilika was speaking when he officially opened a five days national workshop to develop and strengthen diagnostic skills of regional diagnostic laboratories in Choma.
Chief Veterinary Research Officer at the Central Veterinary Research Institute Dr Fredrick Banda said veterinary experts will conduct diagnostic skills locally within the province as his institute will just be a referral laboratory.
“Following the decentralization of animal diseases diagnostic services, staff have been equipped with skills to carry out the functions at local level,” he said