A community-based disease reporting in Djibouti was discussed at workshop held by the Standard methods and procedures in Animal Health that took place in Djibouti from 14 to 15 October 2015. This was aimed at strengthening passive surveillance and grassroot disease recognition. The community-based disease reporting system was introduced to total 56 stakeholders in the livestock sector, including farmers, representatives of agro-livestock breeding associations auxiliary veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the capital and those of land, veterinary private practitioners, and the AU-IBAR. Most stakeholders present came from various parts of the Republic of Djibouti in the regions of Arta, Ali-Sabieh, Dikhil, Tadjourah, Obock and Djibouti.
In his speech Dr. Joseph Magona, on behalf of the Director of AU-IBAR, Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy, stressed that the workshop to create the disease-reporting system in Djibouti was intended to strengthen the recognition of animal diseases at Community level through the use of syndromic surveillance manual, and improve networking among pastoralist communities, animal health service providers and other stakeholders, in order to facilitate the supervision and control of animal diseases in the field and in the regions. Finally, he encouraged all stakeholders’ livestock in Djibouti to adopt the use of syndromic surveillance manual of disease and rapidly report diseases to the regulators.
In his official opening address, Dr. Abdi Elmi Mahamoud, representing the Director of the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, expressed gratitude to the AU-IBAR for organizing the workshop. He stressed the importance of the livestock export in Djibouti's economy and the need for efficient animal health services. Finally He stressed that the workshop would greatly contribute to the strengthening of passive surveillance in the Republic of Djibouti.
The meeting recommended that (1) AU-IBAR makes available the French version of the syndromic surveillance manuals, (2) AU-IBAR expedites supply of diagnostic equipment to the Veterinary Laboratory Djibouti, (3) AU-IBAR equips ARIS Office with computers, and (4) AU-IBAR and Government of Djibouti organize the annual national workshop to bring together all actors involved in disease reporting in Djibouti.