PART VII: Abstracts for oral presentations

Title: Towards Sustainable Development in Sudan via Knowledge Transfer: Animal Health as a Model

Author(s): Abu-Bakr Abu-Median

Address: Institute for Animal Health, UK

Reference: First Sudanese Diaspora International Conference - 2009 pp. 209 - 209

Abstract/Summary: This paper/presentation proposes a scientific and systematic approach to achieve sustainable development by solving current problems in animal health & management in Sudan via the transfer and application of new technologies. Most of the animals in Sudan are kept traditionally by farmers and transhumants who rely on these animals for their livelihood for transport, food consumption and sale. In comparison, intensive animal farming and open holds are practised at a lower scale. While Sudan relies heavily on livestock exportation, poor animal health and productivity resulting from poor management are not properly addressed by the authorities. In general, the country lacks sustainable and basic laboratories with the essential skills and diagnostic facilities especially for emergency preparedness. The recent outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in late 2007 culminated in huge financial losses to the animal owners and the industry. Rapid response and accurate detection of pathogens are necessary to control a disease. The disadvantages of the old conventional diagnostic methods are discussed in the paper. The advantages, need and application of modern technologies are also mentioned. The proposal outline includes: improvement of information technology, communication and transportation; increasing the awareness of animal owners with regard to animal management; facilitating international collaboration and training; establishment of a reference laboratory, or upgrading the existing Central Veterinary Laboratory, with capabilities for emergency preparedness; and establishment of a sustainable scientific programme to develop and adopt robust and modern diagnostic techniques, continuously identify circulating pathogens, identify vaccine candidates, produce vaccines (against the circulating pathogens) that suit the weather conditions, identify the genetic diversity of the local breeds and link this to disease susceptibility.

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