The OIE SRR-SEA supports member countries to update their National FMD Plans to align with the SEACFMD 2016-2020 Roadmap and the Global FMD Strategy, particularly in the application of the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP-FMD). One tool identified by the Global FMD Working group is to develop Risk-based Strategy Plans for FMD control (RBSP) for PCP-FMD Stage 1 countries such as Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. The RBSP is a requirement for a country to move to PCP-FMD Stage 2.
Development of the Risk Based Strategic Plan (RBSP) takes the national veterinary services through a process of changing the conventional approach to FMD control into a risk-based approach. The risk-based approach acknowledges that resources (time, people, skills and budget) are scarce and that FMD control is best focused on those risks that are ranked high, while addressing the gaps and needs to strengthen the veterinary services with the objective to mitigate the direct impact of FMD (in line with PCP-FMD stage 2).
In December 2017, the OIE-SRR-SEA facilitated a joint regional workshop for three members of the National FMD Task Forces/Control Committees from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. In January 2018, in-country workshops with the national FMD task forces/control committees in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar resulted in developing the situation analysis of FMD (chapter 1 of the RBSP). Concurrently, the National Strategic Framework, serving as an advocacy policy paper for long-term FMD control, was developed and is to date endorsed by the respective Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs).
The workshop conducted between 2 and 6 July which aimed to further develop the actual Strategy (Chapter 3), the analysis of the Performance of the Veterinary Services (Chapter 4) and the Monitoring & Evaluation (Chapter 5) of the RBSP. During this workshop, the three national FMD task forces/control committees were supported to convert the identified risk hotspots (Chapter 1) into strategies, component objectives, tactics and activities. Through the regional approach, national FMD Task Forces/Control Committees learnt from each other and concurrently acted as sparring partners when reviewing each others’ suggested strategies.
With the next SEACFMD meeting set for November 2018, it was agreed by the national FMD committees to finalize chapters 3, 4 and 5 of the RBSP before November 2018. This will allow to have their respective CVOs present the risk-based strategy for FMD control for the other members of the SEACFMD. To support further detailing of the RBSP, an agenda for technical backstopping was agreed in this workshop.
The remaining chapters on Benefits (chapter 2), operational plan (chapter 6) and technical assistance (chapter 7) will be supported through long-distance support during the months October-December 2018. As a result, this OIE-supported project aims to finalize the RBSP for FMD control by the end of 2018, allowing Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to apply for PCP-FMD Stage 2.
