2294 part 1 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Prevention and control of animal diseases worldwide
Part I: Economic analysis: prevention versus outbreak costs
5.2.1.3. AH services and institutional structures
Vietnam has committed significant national resources to the fight against avian influenza and for the
prevention of a human pandemic. A National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Avian
Influenza (NSCAI) has been established in January 2004 as the national coordination mechanism for
HPAI planning and supervision 108 , while a National Steering Committee for H5N1 Avian Influenza
among humans evolved from the National SARS Steering Committee (established in 2003) to deal with
human health aspects. This is supplemented by Steering Committees at provincial and sometimes district
level, established under the People’s committees.
In September 2005 the NSCAI prepared a National Preparedness Plan in response to Avian Flu Epidemic
H5N1 and Human influenza Pandemic (A326), which was approved by the Prime Minister in November
2005. This integrated plan designed responsive measures under WHO’s pandemic phases and scenarios,
and allocated responsibilities and actions for ministries, People’s Committees at all levels and other
organisations. In February 2006, the government established a National Task Force under the NSCAI,
whose main task has been to develop the Integrated Operational Program for Avian and Human Influenza
(OPI) covering the period 2006-10. These plans an their budgets are discussed in section 5.2.2).
Vietnam’s animal health system as such is structured as follows. The Department of Animal Health (under
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - MARD) co-ordinates national policy, while six
Regional Veterinary Centres manage their particular territories. Each province has a sub-Department of
Animal Health, which supervise more than 600 District Veterinary Services (A9).
Regarding the provision of animal health professionals, in 2004 a French mission to Vietnam 109 reports
that, in contrast to many developing countries, geographical coverage in Vietnam is quite good. However,
there is a lack of specialist knowledge, and their services are not used often, particularly for preventive
care/vaccination. Back in 1998 IFPRI (1998) found that less than 1% of producers asked veterinary
services for regular examination of their stock. Although the situation has improved since then, the
proportion of birds per veterinarian, estimated at 145,200 birds, is considered to be rather low in
comparison to the needs (A16). The public veterinary workers are supplemented by a network of private
para-veterinary practitioners. Vétérinaires Sans Frontiers (VSF) in 2004 110 report that the cost of a visit of
a para-veterinarian to treat a few birds is too high in relation to the value of the animals.
Moreover, according to the VSF, there is a lack of coordination between central and provincial levels
resulting in difficulty applying national decrees, and a general lack of staff to keep up with inspection
needs is also reported. AI outbreaks appear to have made all these problems more acute. Although
extension services are prevalent throughout Vietnam, the VSF (2004) study reported no organisation in
108 The Committee which is composed of members of the various competent Ministries meets weekly to brief the
government of the latest developments.
109 D’Andlau, Georges et al (2004): “Avian Influenza Support Mission to Vietnam: Diagnosis and Short-term and
Long-term Proposals”. Paris: Agence Française de Développement.
110 Delquigny, Thomas et al. (2004), Evolution and impact of avian influenza epidemic and description of the avian
production in Vietnam, Final Report. Hanoi: Vétérinaires sans Frontières.
Civic Consulting • Agra CEAS Consulting 106