Information Seminar OIE – Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Evaluation 16th August 2017 National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, Pusa, New Delhi-110012 (India)

This Information Seminar, jointly organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DAHDF), Government of India and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) aimed to sensitise the key stakeholders of India’s livestock sector on ‘Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Evaluation’ which is a global programme of OIE. Dr. P.V.K. Sasidhar reflects on his participation in this event.

CONTEXT

The OIE, with 181 member countries, is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide (http://www.oie.int/). The OIE provides assistance to its ember countries to improve the governance of veterinary services, so that their capacity may be strengthened and better aligned with OIE standards. For that purpose, since 2006, the OIE has progressively developed a global programme, the PVS (Performance of Veterinary Services) pathway. So far, 141 member countries have already undergone evaluation; the Government of India has also requested OIE to conduct the PVS evaluation for India. As a first step, this Information Seminar was jointly organised by DAHDF and OIE to sensitize the key stakeholders of India’s livestock sector with the following objectives:

• To convey a solid, general understanding of both the PVS evaluation methods and benefits.
• To elicit broad support at all levels for the planning, preparation, conduct and follow up of an OIE PVS evaluation in India.

PROGRAMME

Inaugural Session

The meeting started with a formal opening-cum-welcome ceremony by the organisers represented by  Shri  Devendra  Chaudhry  (Secretary),  Dr.  Suresh  S.  Honnappagol  (Animal  Husbandry Commissioner) and Shri Mihir Kumar Singh (Joint Secretary) from DAHDF and Dr. John Stratton (Deputy Head of the Regional Activities), Dr. Pasang Tshering (Regional Representative for Asia Pacific) and Dr. John Weaver (Director, Weaver Consulting International Ltd.) from OIE. They welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of the meeting with an overall emphasis on how India would benefit from PVS evaluation. Dr. Honnappagol mentioned that livestock service delivery is very crucial in

view of India’s small livestock holdings. The PVS is directly proportional to livestock output and needs to be in line with international standards. Dr. John Stratton highlighted the importance of PVS evaluation in India. Dr. Monique Eloit (Director General, OIE) addressed the participants through a pre-recorded video message. In her message, she stressed on six strategic plans of OIE till 2020; one key objective of these plans is to ensure capacity building and sustainability of veterinary services. On voluntary basis, the OIE-PVS pathway evaluates the current situation, identifies problems, seeks suggestions and advocates additional services for improvement. The previous success stories on PVS evaluation indicate an interesting evolution and participation by member countries. Over time, the pathway has proved its value in providing credible, systematic and objective PVS assessment. At the end, Dr. Eloit assured viewers that the PVS pathway results in a positive impact and strengthens delivery of veterinary services.

Shri Devendra Chaudhry, in his Presidential address, emphasised that in cooperative federal structure, the participation of states is crucial in PVS evaluation. India has the largest livestock population in the world and PVS evaluation will be a big challenge. Correct implementation of PVS evaluation outcomes help in productive and healthy animals which will ultimately result in happy and wealthy farmers. The PVS evaluation is also in line with the Government’s objective of doubling farmers’ income and to make a New India by 2022.

He  cautioned  that  the  same  PVS  evaluation principles may not be applicable in different countries. He further suggested a time frame of three months for preparation of national-level evaluation document and another nine months for the states to prepare similar documents.

Technical Sessions

Session 1: The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

Dr. Stratton introduced the theme of the workshop and elaborated on it. He gave insights on the OIE organisational structure, its mandate, OIE international standards relevant to PVS and animal health codes. This session helped participants to understand the role of OIE in global animal healthcare, and the standards related to veterinary services developed by it and implemented through member countries.

Session 2: Indian Veterinary Services

Dr. Suresh S. Honnappagol in his presentation on this theme gave a bird’s eye view of India’s livestock sector, the current veterinary services scenario, fiscal and administrative structures, veterinary service infrastructure, technical capabilities, network of surveillance labs and animal disease reporting system, animal science R&D under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) , state universities, Veterinary Council of India (VCI) and National Dairy Development Board ( NDDB) , animal quarantine and certification services, legislative backup for livestock sector, interaction with different stakeholders of livestock sector, animal health certification and access to markets. This session facilitated participants’ understanding of India’s livestock sector    comprehensively along with diversity and pluralism in veterinary service delivery and R&D.

Session 3: India’s Inter-sectoral Collaboration on Zoonoses

This session was presented in two parts by experts from National Centre for Disease Control.

Part 1 – International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005): In this part Dr. Meera Dhuria talked about global landscape of public health risks, IHR (2005) and obligations of countries, detection and notification of events and core capacities for IHR implementation.

Part 2 – Inter-sectoral Coordination: In this part Dr. Naveen Kumar Gupta briefed about emerging zoonotic and epidemic diseases, zoonotic diseases (present and future) of major public health importance in India and existing facilities for combating zoonoses. He also indicated the challenges India is facing in the absence of disease-specific inter-sectoral coordination for outbreak response, mechanism of integration and coordination.

The key messages from these two presentations were:

• We need to promote a ‘One Health’ concept by integrating human and animal health
• Greater coordination required between WHO and OIE at the international level and between various ministries/organisations within India to tackle zoonotic animal diseases.

Session 4: Quality of Veterinary Services & OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code- Section 3

In this part, Dr. Pasang Tshering discussed the background of quality of veterinary services (Box 1), their evaluation guidelines developed in 1990s, how they were refined since then and included in the 17th edition (2008) of Terrestrial Animal Health Code. He also discussed how the OIE codes define quality, public perception of quality, fundamental principles of quality of veterinary services, evaluation criteria and information requirements for the evaluation process and the PVS tool.

The key message from this presentation was:

• Any evaluation of PVS should be conducted having due regard to the OIE recommendations and principles laid down in Terrestrial Code, especially chapter 3.1 and 3.2.

Session 5: OIE PVS Pathway – Overview and Experience

Dr. Stratton’s presentation focused on (i) PVS pathway basics: main principles, stages and state of play and (ii) Why engage a PVS mission: PVS myths, benefits and national case studies. He explained that the OIE has progressively developed the PVS pathway which takes the country PVS evaluation using the OIE PVS tool and PVS gap analysis missions as first steps and integrates them into a comprehensive, staged approach providing targeted support for the systematic strengthening of veterinary services based on international standards (Box 2). He also discussed PVS evaluation successful case studies of Thailand, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Afghanistan.

The key messages from this presentation were as follows:

• PVS evaluation is
• OIE helps in conducting PVS evaluation only after receiving official request from OIE National Delegate.
• The purpose of PVS evaluation is to assess compliance with OIE standards, identify SWOT parameters and areas for improvements.
• The report is the country’s property (confidentiality of results, unless agreed).
• PVS evaluation report is supportive not directive, and a strong platform for planning and advocacy

Session 6: OIE PVS Tool and Concept of Critical Competencies

Dr. John Weaver briefly discussed 47 ‘Critical Competencies’ and their measurement under four ‘Fundamental Components’- (a) Human, physical and financial resources (b) Technical authority and capability (c) Interaction with interested parties and (d) Access to markets. The measurement is on 5 levels of advancement for each critical competency – 1 being no compliance and 5 being full compliance with OIE standards.

The key messages from this presentation were:

• Critical Competency (CC) is ‘a specific competency required for the Veterinary Service(s) to comply with OIE standards’.
• Final evaluation report for each competency consists of competency definition, level of advancement, evidence, findings, SWOT issues and recommendations.

Session 7: PVS Tool – Fundamental Components

This session was presented in four parts alternately by Drs. John Stratton and John Weaver.

1. Human, Physical and Financial Resources : The human, physical and financial resources to attract resources and retain professionals with technical and leadership skills;
2. Technical Authority and Capability : The technical authority and capability to address current and new issues including prevention and control of biological disasters based on scientific principles;
3. Interaction with Interested Parties : The sustained interaction with interested parties in order to stay on course and carry out relevant joint programmes and services; and
4. Access to Markets: The ability to access markets through compliance with existing standards and the implementation of new disciplines such as the harmonisation of standards, equivalence and zoning.

The critical competencies discussed under the above four fundamental components of PVS evaluation tool are summarised in Box 2.

The key messages from this presentation were:

The critical competencies under each fundamental component can be further segregated under the following sub-components:

1. Human, Physical and Financial Resources
   • Staffing
   • Policy and management
   • Resources
2. Technical Authority and Capability
   • Laboratories
   • Risk
   • Animal health programmes
   • Food safety programmes
   • Drug control
   • Identification and traceability
   • Welfare

1. Interaction with Interested Parties
   • Communications and joint programmes
   • Management of vets/vet profession
2. Access to Markets

• • Legislation
  • Trade

Session 8: PVS Pathway Evolution

Dr. Stratton explained the PVS pathway’s global uptake as OIE’s flagship programme and participation of 141 countries in PVS evaluation from 2007 to 2017. The PVS pathway evolved over time in line with global developments like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, One Health approach, antimicrobial resistance and global disease strategies. He stressed that, overall PVS pathway has been successful globally, but there exist huge differences in effectiveness at national levels depending on engagement and uptake of results. In April 2017, an OIE Think Tank Forum comprising 74 experts (members, staff, experts and partners) in four groups reviewed 10 years of PVS pathway evolution based on thorough consultations, country case studies, conferences/discussions held globally, and data collected through questionnaires. The aspects reviewed include (a) Country use of the PVS pathway (by members) (b) OIE support/use of the PVS pathway (by staff) (c) Methods and delivery of the PVS pathway (by experts), and (d) Partners’ support/use of the PVS pathway (by partners). The final report with enhanced PVS pathway engagement options is expected to be out very soon.

At the end of this session, a brief video on ‘10 Years Together to Improve Veterinary Services 2007 – 2017’ was shown, with experiences narrated by member countries describing it as an independent, voluntary, valuable, intelligent and facilitative tool.

The key messages out of this session were:

• The PVS Pathway has been evolving over the years as per the requirements and global developments like SDGs.
• Many topics like antimicrobial resistance were not on the radar at the start of the PVS Pathway and such issues are expected to be considered in the future.
• In the evolution of the PVS Pathway, a balance between having robust and stable tools and flexibility is necessary to address new priorities.
• OIE’s role in development and capacity building clearly aligns with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its SDGs.
• Global strategies for diseases such as Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), developed jointly by FAO and OIE, represent good examples where synergies with the PVS Pathway are clearly included and can be further developed.

Session 9: OIE PVS Evaluation – Perspectives for India

Dr. Weaver made this brief presentation and discussed various considerations for India at national and regional levels; preparations like pre-mission, mission and post-mission actions, and benefits of India joining the OIE PVS pathway. The benefits could be:

• Communications and engagement across stakeholders
• Ownership and ‘benchmarking’
• Advocacy platform, improved profile, funding and programme delivery
• International benchmarking – trade opportunities
• Dynamic, ongoing self-assessment
• Development of quality assured

The key messages out of this discussion were:

• PVS evaluation provides benefits and not
• PVS evaluation is an exciting and worthwhile

MY IMPRESSIONS

The Information Seminar was announced in good time with a well-drafted eight-page concept note on the purpose and PVS evaluation pathway background. The inaugural session was short but focused to set the stage for the rest of the nine technical sessions. The organisers took care in selecting more than 150 participants, representing top policy makers from all over India at various levels like Principal Secretaries, Directors and Joint Directors of State Animal Husbandry Departments, Vice Chancellors and Deans of Veterinary Universities, Researchers and Academicians from ICAR Animal Science Research Institutes and stakeholders from other Ministries and Industry. There were nine presentations and two video sessions that kept well within the scheduled time leaving ample time for discussion, questions, and clarifications. The resource persons from OIE have several years of experience on PVS evaluation and policy engagement with member countries.

FINAL REMARKS

This meeting offered an opportunity for several participants to understand PVS pathway evaluation tool with critical competencies, its evolution and the experiences of various member countries with PVS evaluation. A few participants were sceptical and expressed their concern on possible negative consequences of PVS evaluation. The organisers clarified that PVS evaluation is an exciting and worthwhile challenge which provides benefits and not threats.

In India, the degree awarded as per VCI regulations is BVSc&AH (Bachelors in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry). Accordingly, Indian veterinary services reflect integrated provision of three support services to livestock farmers:

1. Delivery of technical services (clinical and para-clinical health care of livestock).
2. Ensuring availability and access to production services – artificial insemination, vaccines, medicines, equipment, feed, fodder etc. (Inputs to augment production and productivity)
3. Extension and advisory services (to enrich knowledge and skills of livestock farmers)

The competencies related to production services are not adequately covered in the critical competencies of OIE PVS evaluation tool. The PVS Pathway has been evolving over the years as per the requirements of the stakeholders. Therefore, it is suggested to include production competencies in the PVS evaluation tool to contextualize India’s requirements.

I strongly support PVS evaluation as it analyses the current situation, identifies problems, seeks suggestions and advocates additional services for improvement. Evaluation is often neglected and mistakenly seen as a fault-finding mechanism. On the contrary, PVS evaluation is to be seen as a learning process and past experiences guide us to a better future in veterinary service delivery. To me this event provided an opportunity to share my recent related work ‘Assessment of Core Competencies of Livestock Extension Professionals in India’ with participants and organisers. By attending this workshop, I also acquired knowledge of the several internal intricacies and global developments in PVS evaluation, which will be helpful for my future research. Some of the related works of mine which may help during PVS Evaluation in India are given in Box 3.

My sincere thanks to Dr. Suresh S. Honnappagol (Animal Husbandry Commissioner), and to the OIE and IGNOU for facilitating this learning experience.

P.V.K. Sasidhar is Director, School of Extension and Development Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi-110068, India. E-mail: pvksasidhar@ignou.ac.in

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