Institutions: stronger veterinary services for better governance

Area of Science:

• Veterinary public health
• Animal health governance
• Global animal disease surveillance

Background:

• Veterinary Services (VS) are diverse public and civil society organizations delivering animal health services.
• Their interactions are governed by formal and informal rules, with essential services defined by the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
• Strong institutions are fundamental for good governance and efficient delivery of global public goods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight critical factors for achieving effective veterinary service delivery.
• To discuss optimal administrative structures, resource allocation, and disease surveillance systems for VS.
• To emphasize the importance of prioritizing VS functions for OIE Member Countries.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing frameworks and definitions for Veterinary Services by the OIE.
• Discussion of essential components for effective VS, including administrative structures, human and financial resources.
• Analysis of national systems for early disease detection, notification, and prevention.

Main Results:

• Effective VS require proper resourcing and structuring to fulfill their mandate.
• Key factors for success include robust administrative frameworks, adequate human and financial resources, and efficient disease surveillance systems.
• Prioritization of VS functions is essential for delivering public goods and enhancing global animal health security.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening veterinary institutions is paramount for good governance and effective animal health service provision.
• Adequate resources, appropriate structures, and efficient disease management systems are vital for VS success.
• OIE Member Countries must prioritize the development and support of their Veterinary Services to ensure global public goods delivery.