The Steering Group which oversees Georgia’s National Animal Health Program 2016-20 (NAHP) held its 32nd meeting in Tbilisi on 19th September 2018. Dr Monique Eloit, Director General of the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) participated in the meeting and was greeted by Mr Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA).
Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) and Colorado State University (CSU), USDA’s animal health team in Georgia have provided co-ordination and technical advice to MEPA as part of a project to support the Government of Georgia build capacity in veterinary services.
Dr Debby Reynolds of CSU said “The 32nd meeting of the Steering Group was a historic occasion for all the participants in the NAHP. Interaction with interested parties is one of the fundamental components of an effective veterinary service and I was delighted to be a contributor when Monique Eloit of OIE saw that in action today”.
USDA’s project has also developed the private veterinary sector in Georgia, created seven Veterinary Regional Associations (VRAs) and established a new Platform for VRAs Animal Health in Georgia which now covers the whole country. Zachariah Ghinturi (Platform Chairman) and Ketevan Rukhadze (Platform Co-ordinator) were nominated to become new members of the NAHP Steering Group and will join the next meeting in February 2019. Nana Kashakashvili of GIPA said “It is great news and a big achievement that representatives of the private veterinary sector are to join the NAHP Steering Group, they are a fundamental part of the veterinary services in Georgia and will bring fresh perspectives to the group. It will also contribute to sustainability of USDA’s investment as the project ends in March 2019”.
Zurab Chekurashvili, Head of National Food Agency, who chaired the meeting, thanked all the participants at the Steering Group for updates and congratulated them on their contributions to improve performance in sector. He also expressed sincere thanks to CSU and GIPA for the successful contribution over many years and beneficial impact of their activities.
Since 2008 the CSU and GIPA partnership has guided the production of four updates of the NAHP, co-ordinated the 32 meetings, briefed successive Chairpersons, made numerous technical recommendations, ensured adoption of best practice for governance, worked with all stakeholders and achieved sustained institutional development. A Ministerial Charter has been adopted to formalise the NAHP and the Steering Group as part of transition of CSU and GIPA activities into the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
