Project
Veterinary Workforce Development
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National Veterinary Services (VS) play critical roles in protecting animal health and welfare. They also share responsibilities on public health issues for which a multi-sectoral One Health approach is required, such as zoonosis prevention and control. WOAH’s Veterinary Workforce Development (WFD) Programme, aims to improve tools and approaches to support Members in veterinary workforce assessment, planning and development. WOAH intends to encourage its Members to systematically assess their veterinary workforce needs and realistically address those needs within the limits of the financial, human and educational resource constraints they may be facing.
The National Veterinary WFD workshop for Fiji was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji on 5-7 December 2022.
The aims of this workshop were to:
The Fiji NWFD workshop was facilitated by WOAH PVS Experts in close collaboration with the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji. The event was formally opened by the WOAH Delegate for Fiji, BAF CEO Mr Michael Macdonald Bartlett, together with Dr David Sherman representing the WOAH Headquarters. The Day 1 session started with Introduction to WOAH, the PVS Pathway and Veterinary Workforce Development. This was followed by series of group discussions which identified gaps, barriers and needs of Fiji in the areas of veterinary workforce education, legislation, regulations, assessment, and planning. The plenary sessions provided opportunities for the local stakeholders to share their ideas and perspective on the value of veterinary legislations, the roles of veterinary statutory bodies (VSB), private vets and veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs) in developing an enabling working environment for the veterinary services in Fiji. Final discussions were focused on defining the national priorities of Fiji’s veterinary workforce, and potential approaches and strategies to improve veterinary services in the country.
The output of group discussions was summarised into a “conclusions and recommendations” guiding document to progress the further development of the national veterinary workforce of Fiji.
to improve tools and approaches to support Members in veterinary workforce assessment, planning and development.
Group photo of coordinators and participants in Suva, Fiji (Dec 2022).
Questions posed to participants during group activities. e.g. "Are there any identified gaps in the existing workforce's expertise / competency / category? What mechanism does the country have to identify gaps continuously?"
Questions posed to participants during group activities. e.g. "What are the main categories included in the veterinary workforce within the Fiji? Discuss their basic qualifications / training and role. Also, indicate if their role is defined appropriately."
Questions posed to participants during group activities. e.g. "Who are the relevant stakeholders engaged in communication and coordination for a workforce needs assessment in the Fiji? Please discuss and identify institutions beyond the Department of Agriculture that may play a role in the development of the veterinary workforce."
