Gwale Veterinary Lab Teams Up with Federal Health Facilities for One Health Initiative

Zakari Isah - Kaduna

In a significant move towards promoting holistic health, the Gwale Veterinary Reference Laboratory in Kano state is set to collaborate with esteemed institutions including the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano. 

This collaboration aims to realize the vision of One Health, an integrated approach focusing on the well-being of people, animals, and the environment.

Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, the State Project Coordinator of the Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project (KSADP), revealed that these partnerships would yield improved public health outcomes. 

The announcement was made during the launch of the annual Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) livestock vaccination campaign in Kwanar Gurjiya, Dawakin Kudu local government area.

Funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), and the government of Kano state, the KSADP has played a pivotal role in enhancing animal and human health in Nigeria's most populous state. 

Malam Ibrahim highlighted the successful vaccination of over three million livestock in Kano over the past three years, emphasizing the critical role of vaccination in disease prevention.

Furthermore, the KSADP has implemented various initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of pastoralists, including the construction of 100 milk collection centers, pasture development at Dansoshiya Grazing Reserve, and the engagement of 220 Community Animal Health Workers. 

"Plans are underway to demarcate 1,950 kilometers of stock routes across the state, a move expected to mitigate farmers-herdsmen conflicts."

Malam Sadi Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, commended the KSADP for its support towards the successful implementation of the livestock vaccination campaign. He expressed hope for the continuation of such initiatives in the future.

Similarly, Malam Ahmadu Canji, the leader of the Fulani Community at Gurjiya, lauded the IsDB/LLF project for its innovative approach to addressing pastoralists' issues and urged prompt action on stock route demarcation to prevent conflicts.