Systems approach to animal health services delivery in sub-Saharan Africa: concept development

The current trend towards restructuring to improve the standards and efficiency of public services in sub-Saharan Africa, within the framework of economic structural adjustment programmes, has stimulated debates and proposals regarding veterinary services in the region. Such debates sometimes neglect the fact that a number of different animal production systems may coexist within a single economy. The authors review the concept of veterinary services delivery systems and examine this concept in the context of animal production systems, concluding that different delivery systems may be required to cater for different production systems. Planners and policy makers are urged to ensure that advocated changes are compatible with the existing animal production systems. This systems approach may be applied in considering various aspects of veterinary services, including animal health care delivery, animal health education and training, research, outreach work and financing.