HANDBOOK
FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE WORLD
ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH PERFORMANCE OF VETERINARY SERVICES RESULTS INTO
THE WHO STATE-PARTY SELF-ASSESSMENT ANNUAL REPORTING PROCESS
STATE-PARTY SELF-ASSESSMENT ANNUAL REPORTING TOOL
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS (2005)
HANDBOOK
FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE WORLD
ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH PERFORMANCE OF VETERINARY SERVICES RESULTS INTO
THE WHO STATE-PARTY SELF-ASSESSMENT ANNUAL
REPORTING PROCESS
ISBN 978-92-4-151529-0
© World Health Organization 2018
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 6 CONTEXT 7
OBJECTIVE OF THE HANDBOOK 8
CONTENT OF THE HANDBOOK 9
TABLE OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE CAPACITIES IN THE SPAR TOOL AND
THE CRITICAL COMPETENCIES IN THE OIE PVS TOOL 10 CAPACITIES IN THE STATE PARTY SELF-ASSESSMENT ANNUAL REPORTING TOOL
AND ASSOCIATED CRITICAL COMPETENCIES IN THE OIE PVS EVALUATION REPORTS 11
C1. LEGISLATION AND FINANCING 12
C2. IHR COORDINATION AND NATIONAL IHR FOCAL POINT FUNCTIONS 14 C3. ZOONOTIC EVENTS AND THE HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERFACE 16
C4. FOOD SAFETY 18
C5. LABORATORY 21
C6. SURVEILLANCE 23
C7. HUMAN RESSOURCES 25
C8. NATIONAL HEALTH EMERGENCY FRAMEWORK 27
C9. HEALTH SERVICE PROVISION 29
C10. RISK COMMUNICATION 30
C11. POINTS OF ENTRY 31
C12. CHEMICAL EVENTS 31
C13. RADIATION EMERGENCIES 31
ANNEX 1. KEY OBLIGATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IHR (2005)
FOR WHICH THE VETERINARY SERVICES CONTRIBUTE2. SELF-EVALUATION REPORT 32 ANNEX 2. LIST OF PVS CRITICAL COMPETENCIES OF INTEREST FOR THE SPAR 33 ANNEX 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE OIE PVS PATHWAY 34
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
WHO and the OIE would like to acknowledge with thanks all the experts who contributed to the development and review of this handbook, more specifically Guillaume Belot, Maud Carron, François Caya, Stella Chungong, Stéphane de la Rocque, Rajesh Sreedharan and Emily Tagliaro.
CONTEXT
1 - WHO. Global Health Observatory – International Health Regulations http://www.who.int/gho/ihr/en/ (accessed on 20 November 2018) 2 - In this manual, the terms “Veterinary Authorities” and “Veterinary Services” refer to the definitions in the OIE Code
- Veterinary Authority means the governmental authority, comprising veterinarian, other professionals and paraprofessionals, having the responsibility and competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification and other standards and recommendations in the OIE terrestrial Code in the whole territory.
- “Veterinary Services” means the governmental and non-governmental organisations that implement animal health and welfare measures and other standards and recommendations in the Code in the territory. The veterinary Services are under the overall control and direction of the Veterinary Authority. Private sector organisations, veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals are normally accredited or approved by the Veterinary Authority to deliver the delegated functions.
“ Each State Party shall develop, strengthen and maintain, as soon as possible but no later than five years from the entry into force of these Regulations (…), the capacity to detect, assess, notify and report events in accordance with these Regulations… and ...the capacity to respond promptly and effectively… “
IHR (2005), Articles 5 and 13
With the coming into force of the revised International Health Regulations (IHR (2005)), all States Parties are required to assess the ability of their national structure and resources to meet minimum national core capacities for surveillance and response, and to develop a plan of action to ensure that these capacities be present and functioning throughout their territories.
Annex 1 of the IHR (2005) provides a list of core capacities – the capacity to detect, report, assess and respond to Public Health Events of International Concern (PHEIC) - expected at the three levels of implementation in countries – central, intermediate and community levels. All States Parties have committed to report their level of compliance with IHR Annex 1 to the World Health Assembly (WHA) on a yearly basis.
In order to assist States Parties in their assessment in fulfilling their reporting obligations, WHO developed the States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reporting tool (SPAR). The tool covers 13 capacities, as the results of the interpretation of the requirements in Annex 1A and 1B of the IHR (2005). For each capacity, one to three indicators are used to measure the country’s progress towards fully developed and functional IHR capacities. Indicators are further broken down to activities which define the indicator on a 5 levels scale of performance. For each indicator, the reporting country (in practice, the IHR National Focal Point (IHR NFP)) selects which of the five levels best describes the country’s current point on the continuum of progress. The information obtained through the SPAR tool is sent to the WHO Secretariat which summarize the results in a report of the Director-General to WHO governing bodies. Results are also published on the WHO Global Health Observatory1.
When it comes to the specific contribution from Veterinary Authorities in reaching the objectives of the IHR (2005), the OIE’s Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway assesses the performance of the national Veterinary Services and their compliance with OIE international standards on the quality of Veterinary Services. All aspects relevant to the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and the quality of Veterinary Services, as per OIE definition2, are reviewed using the PVS Tool. The PVS Expert Team collects and analyses baseline information against 47 Critical Competencies, each of which are described in a specific card (Critical Competency Card). More details on the PVS Pathway can be found in Annex 3 of this handbook.
Note: The 6th Edition (2013) of the OIE PVS Tool is used in this handbook. A 7- Edition of the PVS Tool will come into force in 2019. Since the PVS Evaluation reports of most countries were based on the 2013 edition of the PVS Tool until 2018, changes to the Tool will only be reflected in a subsequent version of this handbook.
OBJECTIVE OF THE HANDBOOK
The objective of the Handbook is to facilitate the work of the IHR NFP in assessing and reporting through the SPAR tool by enlightening in which and how the Veterinary Services contribute to the capacities covered by the tool.
These contributions are obvious for some of them (e.g. zoonoses, food safety), but others should also be considered for a more thorough and holistic review of strengths and gaps. This Handbook has been developed to facilitate this exercise; it explains how to use the data contained in an OIE PVS Evaluation report to assist in the use of the SPAR tool.
CONTENT OF THE HANDBOOK
The SPAR tool is organised through 13 technical areas, and 24 indicators listed below. This Handbook identifies the Capacities in the SPAR tool which match, overlap and synergize with the Critical Competencies used in the OIE PVS Pathway missions.
SPAR Tool technical areas:
How to access the OIE PVS Pathway reports
The OIE PVS Pathway reports are the property of the country concerned. A number of countries have waived the confidentiality of their PVS Pathway reports, authorizing the OIE to share their PVS Pathway report with partner organizations and donors. In addition, some countries have authorized the OIE to make their PVS Pathway reports fully public; these can be viewed on the OIE website:
- for the PVS Evaluation reports: under www.oie.int/en/support-to-oie-members/pvs-evaluations/
oie-pvs-evaluation-reports/
- for the Gap Analysis reports: under www.oie.int/en/support-to-oie-members/pvs-gap-analysis/
pvs-gap-analysis-reports/
If the confidentiality of the PVS reports has not been waived, the IHR NFP can ask the Veterinary Services for a copy of the reports.
In total, the Handbook identifies the contributions of the Veterinary Services in 10 of these capacities, with additional information extracted from 36 OIE PVS Critical Competencies.
Table 1 on the next page summarizes the relationship between the capacities from the SPAR tool and the PVS Tool Critical Competencies.
• IHR legislation and financing
• IHR strategic coordination
• Zoonotic events and the human-animal interface
• Food safety
• Laboratory
• Surveillance
• Human resources
• Emergency preparedness for response
• Health service Provision
• Risk communication
• Points of entry (POE)
• Chemical events
• Radiation emergencies
Table 1: Table of correspondence between the capacities in the SPAR Tool and the Critical Competencies in the OIE PVS Tool. Some of the OIE PVS Critical capacities have 2 or 3 components. In these cases, the number of dots in the grey cell indicates how many of them are relevant PVS PATHWAY Human, physical & financial resourcesTechnical authority & capability Interaction withstakeholdersAccess to market
I.1. Pr ofessional and technical staffing
of
the vices y Ser Veterinar
I.2.
Competencies of v
eterinarians y para-pr & veterinar
ofessionals
I.3. Continuing education
I.4. Technical independence
I.5.
Stability of structures and sustainability of policies
I.6. Coor dination capability
of the Veterinar y Ser vices
I.7. Physical resour ces
I.8. Operational funding
I.9. Emer gency funding
I.10. Capital inv estment
I.11. Management of r esourcesand operations
II.1. Veterinar y laboratory diagnosis
II.2. Laborator y quality assurance
II. 3. Risk analysis II.4. Quarantine and border
security
II.5. Epidemiological sur veillance
and early detection
II.6. Emer gency response
II.7. Disease prev ention, contr ol and eradication
II.8. Food safety
II.9. Veterinar y medicines and biologicals
II.10. Residue testing II.11. Animal f eed saf ety
II.12. Identification and traceability
II.13. Animal welfar e
III.1. Communication III.2. Consultation with inter
ested par ties
III.3. Official repr esentation
III.4. Accr editation / authorisation /
delegation
III.5. Veterinar y Statutor y Body
III.6. Par ticipation of
producers
& interested parties
in ograms joint pr
IV.1.
Pr eparation of legislation and
regulations
IV.2.
Implementation of legislation
and regulations and compliance
IV.3.
International harmonisation
IV.4.
International cer tification
IV.5.
Equiv alence and other types
of sanitary agreements
IV.6.
Transpar ency
IV.7.
Zoning IV.8 . Compartmentalisation
Legislation & financing IHR coordination & NFP functions** Zoonotic events at the *****human-animal interface Food safety********* Laboratory** Surveillance**** Human Resources**** SPAR Emergency preparedness **for response Health service provision Risk communication Points of Entry Chemical events Radiation emergencies
CAPACITIES IN THE STATE PARTY
SELF-ASSESSMENT ANNUAL REPORTING TOOL AND ASSOCIATED CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
IN THE OIE PVS EVALUATION REPORTS
Indicators in ST AR tool C1.1 Legislation, laws, r egulations, policy , administrativ e r equir ements or other go vernment instruments to implement the IHR
C1.2 Financing for the implementation of IHR capacities C1.3 Financing mechanism and funds for timely response to public health emergenciesAssociated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
I-8. Operational fundingThis CC reviews the ability of the VS to access financial resources adequate for their continued and expanded operations (i.e. disease surveillance, early detection and rapid response, and veterinary public health), independent of political pressure. I-9. Emergency fundingThis CC reviews the capability of the VS toaccess extraordinary financial resources in order to respond to emergency situations or emerging issues. The CC reviews inter alia: - Approval processfor additional resources and financial arrangements. IV-1. Preparation of legislation and regulationsThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the veterinary services (VS) to actively participate in the preparation of national legislation and regulations in domains that are under their mandate, in order to guarantee its quality with respect to principles of legal drafting and legal issues and its accessibility, acceptability, and technical, social and economic applicability. This competency involves collaboration with relevant authorities, including other ministries and competent authorities, national agencies and decentralised institutions that share authority or have mutual interest in relevant areas. The CC reviews inter alia: - The legislative and regulatory framework of the veterinary domain and the mandate of the Veterinary Authority; - The coordination of VS with relevant authorities on developing legislation and regulations regarding areas of joint or shared responsibility; - The evidence that national legislation identifies VS roles and responsibilities related to activities where there is shared authority with other competent authorities. IV-2. Implementation of legislation and regulations and compliance thereofThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations under the VS mandate. This includes inter alia - The capacity of the VS to take legal action; - The formal agreementand standardproceduresfor collaboration with other relevant authorities.
C1. LEGISL ATION AND FIN ANCING
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
I-5. Stability of structures and sustainability of policiesThis CC reviews the capability of the VS structure and/or leadership to implement and sustain policies over time. I-10. Capital investmentThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to access funding for basic and additional investments (material and non-material) that lead to a sustained improvement in the VS operational infrastructure. IV-3. International harmonisationThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to be active in the international harmonisation of regulations and sanitary measures and to ensure that the national legislation under their mandate take account of relevant international standards, as appropriate. The CC reviews inter alia: - The legislative framework giving to VS the authority for international or regional harmonisation activities; - Procedures for reviewing legislation and effective harmonisation.C2. IHR COORDIN ATION AND N ATION AL IHR FOCAL POIN T FUNC TIONS Indicators in ST AR tool C2.1 National IHR F ocal P oint functions under IHR
C2.2 Multisectoral IHR coordination mechanismsAssociated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services A. Internal coordinationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities (public and private sectors) with a clear chain of command, from the central level (the Chief Veterinary Officer), to the field level of the VS in order to implement all national activities relevant for the OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services B. External coordination
This CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities at all levels with other relevant authorities as appropriate, in order to implement all national activities relevant for OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). This includes inter alia: - Coordination mechanisms with other authorities on area of joint responsibility; - Procedures and agreements with relevant competent authorities (may include those responsible for human health, security, customs, wildlife…). III-2. Consultation with interested partiesThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to consult effectively with interested parties on VS activities and programmes, and on developments in animal health and food safety. This competency includes collaboration with relevant authorities, including other ministries and competent authorities, national agencies and decentralised institutions that share authorities or have mutual interest in relevant areas. This includes inter alia: - Procedure for formal consultation with interested parties; - Establishment of inter-institutional committees.
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
III-1. CommunicationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to keep interested parties informed, in a transparent, effective and timely manner, of VS activities and programmes, and of developments in animal health and food safety. This competency includes collaboration with relevant authorities, including other ministries and Competent Authorities. The CC explores inter alia: - The infrastructure and the mechanisms and supports for communication with interested parties. III-3. Official representationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to regularly and actively participate in, coordinate and provide follow-up on relevant meetings of regional and international organisations including the OIE (and Codex Alimentarius Commission and WTO SPS Committee where applicable). III-6. Participation of producers and other interested parties in joint programmes This CC reviews the capability of the VS and producers and interested parties to formulate and implement joint programmes in regard to animal health and food safety. This competency includes collaboration with relevant authorities, including other ministries and competent authorities, national agencies and decentralised institutions that share authorities or have mutual interest in relevant areas. The CC explores inter alia evidence of active involvement of producers and interested parties in the development, organization and delivery of programmes.C3. Z OONO TIC EVEN TS AND THE HUM AN-ANIM AL IN TERF ACE Indicators in ST AR tool C3.1 Collaborativ e effor t on activities to addr ess z oonoses Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services A. Internal coordinationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities(public and private sectors) with a clear chain of command, from the central level (the Chief Veterinary Officer), to the field level of the VS in order to implement all national activities relevant for the OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services B. External coordination
This CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities at all levels with other relevant authorities as appropriate, in order to implement all national activities relevant for OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). This includes inter alia: - Coordination mechanisms with other authorities on area of joint responsibility; - Procedures and agreements with relevant competent authorities (may include those responsible for human health, security, customs, wildlife…). II-5. Epidemiological surveillance and early warning A. Passive epidemiological surveillance B. Active surveillance These CC review the authority and capability of the VS to determine, verify and report on the sanitary status of the animal populations, including wildlife, under their mandate. The CC consider inter alia: - The list of notifiable diseases; - Contacts in other agencies on relevant areas (e.g. food safety; zoonoses, emerging diseases, wildlife) and procedures for sharing relevant surveillance information; - Knowledge of OIE standard on surveillance, including reporting duties and procedures on suspicions and confirmed cases.
II-1. Veterinary laboratory diagnosis A. Access to veterinary laboratory diagnosis B. Suitability of national laboratory infrastructures
This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to identify and record pathogenic agents, including those relevant for public health, that can adversely affect animals and animal products, and the suitability, effectiveness and efficiency of the national (public and private) laboratory infrastructures to service the needs of the VS. This CC considers inter alia: - The list of notifiable and reportable diseases, present in the country, present in the region or that could enter the country, including emerging diseases, for which the access to laboratory diagnostic is lacking; - The access to human health laboratory services when needed, and agreement on diagnostic methods and procedures (including for an emerging event/new pathogens) in animals and humans; - The formal links between laboratories and the laboratory network structure organogram, including the existence of a shared database system; - The organisation, management and accessibility of the laboratory network to meet the country’s needs. II-6. Emergency responseThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to response rapidly to a sanitary emergency (such as a significant disease outbreak or a food safety emergency). The CC reviews inter alia: - Network of human and physical resources available for emergency response; - Documented national contingency plans and appropriate chain of command; - Evidence of simulation exercises and pre-established procedures. II-7. Disease prevention, control and eradicationThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to actively perform actions to prevent, control or eradicate OIE listed diseases and/or to demonstrate that the country or a zone are free of relevant diseases. The CC considers inter alia: - The list of disease of epizootic or zoonotic importance; - The prevention, control and eradication programmes to be conducted in collaboration with other relevant parties; - The procedures and/or protocols on roles and responsibilities of different parties (VS and other Competent Authorities).
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
I-8. Operational fundingThis CC reviews the ability of the VS to access financial resources adequate for their continued and expanded operations (i.e. disease surveillance, early detection and rapid response, and veterinary public health), independent of political pressure. II-3. Risk analysisThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to base its risk management decisions on risk assessment. The CC considers inter alia: - Database of hazards relevant to animal health (including zoonosis); - Database and procedures or tools used for risk analyses; - Documented risk management decision-making based on risk analyses.C4. FOOD SAFET Y Indicators in ST AR tool C4.1 Multisectoral collaboration mechanisms for food saf ety e vents Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services A. Internal coordinationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities(public and private sectors) with a clear chain of command, from the central level (the Chief Veterinary Officer), to the field level of the VS in order to implement all national activities relevant for the OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services B. External coordination
This CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities at all levels with other relevant authorities as appropriate, in order to implement all national activities relevant for OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). This includes inter alia: - Coordination mechanisms with other authorities on area of joint responsibility; - Procedures and agreements with relevant competent authorities (may include those responsible for human health, security, customs, wildlife…). II-8. Food safety A- Regulation, authorisation and inspection of establishments for production, processing and distribution of food of animal origin
This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to establish and enforce sanitary standards for establishments that produce, process and distribute food of animal origin. This includes inter alia: - Reports of human cases of food-borne zoonosis; - Identification of roles and responsibilities; - Documented chain of command. II-8. Food safety B- Ante and post mortem inspec- tion at abattoirs and associated premises This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to implement and manage the inspection of animals destined for slaughter at abattoirs and associated premises, including for assuring meat hygiene and for the collection of information relevant to livestock diseases and zoonoses. The CC reviews inter alia: - The collection of information relevant to livestock diseases, foodborne disease and zoonoses; - Evidence of coordination between PH and VS regarding the occurrence of human foodborne illness and potential linkages to food of animal origin, including actions of the VS.
II-8. Food Safety C. Inspection for collection, proces- sing and distribution of products of animal origin
This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to implement, manage and coordinate food safety measures on collection, processing and distribution of products of animal, including programmes for the prevention of specific food-borne zoonoses and general food safety programmes. The CC reviews inter alia: - The roles and responsibilities of competent authorities (national VS, specific agency or department, Ministry of Health, local government or administration, private sector, etc.); - The coordination between relevant competent authorities regarding the occurrence of human foodborne illness and potential linkages to food of animal origin.
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
II-5. Epidemiological surveillance and early detection A. Passive epidemiological surveillance B. Active epidemiological surveillanceThese CC review the authority and capability of the VS to determine, verify and report on the sanitary status of the animal populations, including wildlife, under their mandate. The CC considers inter alia: - The network of contact points for surveillance in other agencies on relevant areas (e.g., food safety, zoonoses, emerging diseases, wildlife); - Knowledge on OIE standards on surveillance, including reporting duties and procedures on suspicions and confirmed cases; - The procedures for sharing relevant surveillance information with relevant partners. II-1. Veterinary laboratory diagnosis A. Access to veterinary laboratory diagnosis B. Suitability of national laboratory infrastructures
This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to identify and record pathogenic agents, including those relevant for public health, that can adversely affect animals and animal products, and the suitability, effectiveness and efficiency of the national (public and private) laboratory infrastructures to service the needs of the VS. This CC considers inter alia: - The access to human health laboratory services when needed, and agreement on diagnostic methods and procedures (including for an emerging event/new pathogens) in animals and humans; - The formal links between laboratories and the laboratory network structure organogram, including the existence of a shared database system. - The organisation, management and accessibility of the laboratory network to meet the country’s needs. II-3. Risk analysisThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to base its risk management decisions on risk assessment. The CC considers inter alia: - Database of hazards relevant to animal health and food safety; - Documented risk management decision-making based on risk analyses.
II-10. Residue testing This CC reviews the capability of the VS to undertake residue testing programmes for veterinary medicines (e.g. antimicrobials and hormones), chemicals, pesticides, radionuclides, metals, etc. This can cover inter alia: - The official programmes of control and results; - The access to testing laboratory with adequate competency and resources. II-12. Identification and traceability. B - Identification and traceability of animal products This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS, normally in collaboration with producers and other interested parties to identify and trace products of animal origin for the purpose of food safety animal health or trade. The CC covers inter alia: - Tracing procedures and databases as a tool to support the investigation of foodborne disease outbreaks; - List of identified and traced food products of animal origin.
C5. L ABORA TOR Y Indicators in ST AR tool C5.1 Specimen r ef erral and transpor t system C5.1 Implementation of a laborator y biosaf ety and biosecurity r egime C5.1 Access to laborator y testing capacity for priority diseases Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
II-1. Veterinary laboratory diagnosis A. Access to veterinary laboratory diagnosis B. Suitability of national laboratory infrastructuresThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to identify and record pathogenic agents, including those relevant for public health, that can adversely affect animals and animal products, and the suitability, effectiveness and efficiency of the national (public and private) laboratory infrastructures to service the needs of the VS. This CC considers inter alia: - The list and distribution of laboratories in the country; - The list of diagnostic tests (defined for each disease) available for the VS; - The physical, human (including competencies and continuing education) and financial resources of laboratories; - The list of notifiable and reportable diseases, present in the country, present in the region or that could enter the country, including emerging diseases, for which the access to laboratory diagnostic is lacking; - The list of foreign laboratories providing access to diagnostic work; - The access to human health laboratory services when needed, and agreement on diagnostic methods and procedures including for an emerging event/new pathogens) in animals and humans; - The formal links between laboratories and the laboratory network structure organogram, including the existence of a shared database system; - The organisation, management and accessibility of the laboratory network to meet the country’s needs.
II-2. Laboratory quality assuranceThis CC reviews the quality of laboratories (that conduct diagnostic testing or analysis for chemical residues, antimicrobial residues, toxins, or tests for, biological efficacy, etc.) as measured by the use of formal QA systems and participation in relevant proficiency testing programmes. This includes inter alia: - The list of authorised/accredited laboratories - Documented procedures; - Evidence of proficiency testing programmes: - The QA system used (including SOP, testing manuals, records of results)
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
II-10. Residue testing This CC reviews the capability of the VS to undertake residue testing programmes for veterinary medicines (e.g. antimicrobials and hormones), chemicals, pesticides, radionuclides, metals, etc. This can cover inter alia: - The official programmes of control and results; - The access to testing laboratory with adequate competency and resources.C6. SUR VEILL ANCE Indicators in ST AR tool C6.1 Early warning function: indicator-and e vent-based sur veillance C6.2 Mechanism for e vent management (v erification, risk assessment, analysis49 inv estigation) Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
II-5. Epidemiological surveillance and early detection A. Passive epidemiological surveillance B. Active epidemiological surveillanceThese CC review the authority and capability of the VS to determine, verify and report on the sanitary status of the animal populations, including wildlife, under their mandate. The CC considers inter alia: - The list of diseases on the territory, and the list of priority zoonosis diseases (e.g. rabies, brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, anthrax, leptospirosis and other relevant diseases for the country) covered by specific active surveillance programmes; - The chain of command and information flow; - The procedures for data recording and management, and notifications of diseases; - Database on people involved in surveillance (e.g. professionals, paraprofessionals, producers, etc.); - The network of contact points for surveillance in other agencies on relevant areas (e.g., food safety, zoonoses, emerging diseases, wildlife); - The procedures for sharing relevant surveillance information with relevant partners. I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services A. Internal coordination This CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities (public and private sectors) with a clear chain of command, from the central level (the Chief Veterinary Officer), to the field level of the VS in order to implement all national activities relevant for the OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes).
I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services B. External coordination
This CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities at all levels with other relevant authorities as appropriate, in order to implement all national activities relevant for OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). This includes inter alia: - Coordination mechanisms with other authorities on area of joint responsibility; - Procedures and agreements with relevant competent authorities (may include those responsible for human health, security, customs, wildlife…). This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to respond rapidly to a sanitary emergency (such as a significant disease outbreak or food safety emergency). The CC considers inter alia: - Evidence that mandatory disease notification system operates effectively; - Evidence of simulation exercises. II-6. Emergency response This CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to respond rapidly to a sanitary emergency (such as a significant disease outbreak or food safety emergency). The CC considers inter alia: - Evidence that mandatory disease notification system operates effectively; - Evidence of simulation exercises. IV-6. TransparencyThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to notify the OIE of its sanitary status and other relevant matters (and to notify the WTO SPS Committee where applicable), in accordance with established procedures. The CC considers inter alia: - Procedures and organised mechanism for notifications to OIE and other relevant international organisations (OIE focal points, Codex and WTO notification and enquiry points where applicable); - Knowledge of duties and obligations of membership.
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
II-3. Risk analysisThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to base its risk management decisions on risk assessment. The CC considers inter alia: - Database of hazards relevant to animal health; - Database and procedures or tools used for risk analyses.C7. HUM AN RESSOURCES Indicators in ST AR tool C7.1 Human r esour ces51 for the implementation of IHR capacities Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
I-1. Professional and technical staffing of the Veterinary ServicesThis CC reviews the appropriate staffing of the VS to allow for veterinary and technical functions to be undertaken efficiently and effectively. The CC considers inter alia: - The number of vacant professional positions compared to the VS’ needs - The approach for defining job descriptions, qualifications, experiences and formal appointment procedures; - The procedures for performance assessment and management; - The procedures for supervision of technical staff. I-2. Competencies of veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals A. Professional competencies of veterinarians including the OIE Day 1 competencies B. Competencies of veterinary para-professionalsThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to efficiently carry out their veterinary and technical functions, measured by the qualifications of their personnel in veterinary and technical positions. The CC considers inter alia: - The curriculum of veterinary faculties, including education on public health and One health issues; - The curriculum of courses for veterinary para-professionals, and description of specialist qualifications and competencies; - The number of veterinarians holding postgraduate qualifications; - The number of para-veterinarians with specialist qualifications and competencies.
I-3. Continuing educationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to maintain and improve the competence of their personnel in terms of relevant information and understanding; measured in terms of the implementation of a relevant training. The CC considers inter alia: - Existing training programmes for relevant staff and procedures for continuing education linked to functions or positions; including on trans-sectoral thematic and One Health topics; - Procedures for continuing education management and individual follow-up; - Existence of continuing professional development programmes for private veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals, and other professionals
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
I-11. Management of resources and operations This CC reviews the capability of the VS to document and manage their resources and operations in order to analyse, plan and improve both efficiency and effectiveness. The CC considers inter alia: - Procedures for most operations and resources allocations (budgets, human resources); - Strategic plan for the development of resources, including analysis and regular updates.C8. N ATION AL HEAL TH EMERGENCY FRAMEWORK Indicators in ST AR tool C8.1 Planning for emer gency pr epar edness and r esponse mechanism C8.2 Management of health emer gency r esponse operations C8.3 Emer gency r esour ce mobilization Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
I-8. Operational fundingThis CC reviews the ability of the VS to access financial resources adequate for their continued and expanded operations (i.e. disease surveillance, early detection and rapid response, and veterinary public health), independent of political pressure. I-9. Emergency fundingThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to access extraordinary financial resources in order to respond to emergency situations or emerging issues. The CC considers inter alia: - Funding of emergency operations including inter-institutional coordination; - Approval process for additional resources and financial arrangements (e.g. special funds). II-6. Emergency responseThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to respond rapidly to a sanitary emergency (such as a significant disease outbreak or food safety emergency). The CC considers inter alia: - Physical and financial resources, available for emergency response; - Financial support and emergency equipment and consumables. - Documented chain of command, and evidence of effective coordination of response activities (including with other authorities); - Procedures that identify roles and responsibilities of different parties for emergency response; - Specific trainings; - Evidence of simulation exercises and pre-established communication procedures; I-7. Physical resourcesThis CC reviews the access of the VS to relevant physical resources including buildings, transport, telecommunications, cold chain, and other relevant equipment. The CC considers inter alia: - Inventory of physical resources; - Geographical and functional distribution of physical resources and the procedures for their management.I-11. Management of resources and operations This CC reviews the capability of the VS to document and manage their resources and operations in order to analyse, plan and improve both efficiency and effectiveness. The CC considers inter alia: - Procedures for most operations and resources allocations (budgets, physical and/or human resources); - Strategic plan including analysis and planning.
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
II-3. Risk analysisThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to base its risk management decisions on risk assessment. The CC considers inter alia: - Database of hazards relevant to animal health and food safety; - Documented risk management decision-making based on risk analyses; I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services A. Internal coordinationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities (public and private sectors) with a clear chain of command, from the central level (the Chief Veterinary Officer), to the field level of the VS in order to implement all national activities relevant for the OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services B. External coordination
This CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities at all levels with other relevant authorities as appropriate, in order to implement all national activities relevant for OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). This includes inter alia: - Coordination mechanisms with other authorities on area of joint responsibility; - Procedures and agreements with relevant competent authorities (may include those responsible for human health, security, customs, wildlife…).
C9. HEAL TH SER VICE PRO VISION Indicators in ST AR tool C9.1 Case management capacity for IHR r ele vant hazar ds C9.2 Capacity for inf ection pr ev ention and contr ol and chemical and radiation decontamination C9.3:Access to essential health ser vices
There is no clear references to this technical area in the OIE PVS tool.C10. RISK COMMUNICA TION Indicators in ST AR tool C10.1 Capacity for emer gency risk communications Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
III-1. CommunicationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to keep interested parties informed in a transparent, effective and timely manner on VS activities and programmes, and of development in animal health and food safety. This competency includes collaboration with relevant authorities; including other ministries and competent authorities, national agencies and decentralised institutions that share authority or have mutual interest in relevant areas. The CC considers inter alia: - Formal procedures and mechanisms for communication including coordination mechanisms with public health, wildlife and other agencies outlined in national preparedness and contingency plans; - Communication tools, plans and strategy including in national preparedness/ contingency plans/areas of shared responsibilities; - Network of contact points in public health, wildlife and other partners relevant to inter-sectoral topics. - Mechanisms for communication and communication tools (bulletin, website, hotline) - Existence of an established communication unit and resources (e.g. qualifications, budget). I-6. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services B. External coordinationThis CC reviews the capability of the VS to coordinate its resources and activities at all levels with other relevant authorities as appropriate, in order to implement all national activities relevant for OIE Codes (i.e. surveillance, disease control and eradication, food safety and early detection and rapid response programmes). This includes inter alia: - Coordination mechanisms with other authorities on area of joint responsibility;
Other r ele vant PVS Critical Competency Car ds
II-3. Risk analysisThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to base its risk management decisions on risk assessment. The CC considers inter alia: - Documented risk management decision-making based on risk analyses; - Risk communication.C11. POIN TS OF EN TR Y C12. CHEMICAL EVEN TS C13. RADI ATION EMERGENCIES
Indicators in ST AR tool C11.1 Cor e capacity r equir ements at all times for designated airpor ts, por ts and gr ound cr ossings C11.2 E ff ectiv e public health r esponse at points of entr y Associated critical competencies in the OIE PVS e valuation r epor ts Ke y PVS Critical Competency Car ds to consult
II-4. Quarantine and border securityThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to prevent the entry and spread of diseases and other hazards of animals and animal products. This CC consider inter alia whether quarantine and border security procedures complies with international standards and address illegal border activities related to the import of animals and animal products. IV-4. International certificationThis CC reviews the authority and capability of the VS to certify animals, animal products, services and processes under their mandate, in accordance with the national legislation and regulation, and international standards. This CC considers inter alia whether certification programmes comply with international standard in view of preserving the country’s sanitary status.Indicators in ST AR tool C12.1 Resour ces for detection and aler t Indicators in ST AR tool C13.1 Capacity and r esour ces
There is no clear references to this technical area in the OIE PVS tool. There is no clear references to this technical area in the OIE PVS tool.
ANNEX 1. KEY OBLIGATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IHR (2005) FOR WHICH THE VETERINARY SERVICES CONTRIBUTE
General provisions
Art. 44.1, IHR (2005): State parties (SPs) shall undertake to collaborate with each other, to the extent possible, in (a) detection, assessment and response to events; (b) providing or facilitating technical cooperation and logistical support; (c) mobilizing financial resources to facilitate implementation of their IHR (2005) obligations; and (d) formulating proposed laws and other legal and administrative provisions for the implementation of the IHR (2005).
Responsible authorities
Art. 4., IHR (2005): ….Functions of the National Focal point (NFP) include….disseminating information to and consolidating input from relevant government sectors of the administration of the State Party concerned, including those responsible for surveillance and reporting, points of entry, public health services, clinics and hospitals and other government departments.
Notification and reporting of events and cases
Art. 6.1., IHR (2005): SPs shall notify WHO of all events which may constitute a PHEIC within its territory, within 24 hours of assessment, by most efficient means of communication, through their NFP, of all events that may be a PHEIC in accordance with decision instrument, as well as any response measures.
SPs shall provide to WHO all relevant public health information if the SP has evidence of an unexpected or unusual public health event within its territory, irrespective of origin or source, which SPs may constitute a PHEIC.
SPs may keep WHO advised through the National IHR Focal Point and consult with WHO on appropriate health measures in the case of events occurring within its territory but not requiring notification.
Public health response
Annex 1, IHR (2005): SPs shall assess the ability of existing national structures and resources to meet the minimum core requirements and, as a result, develop and implement plans of action
ANNEX 2. LIST OF PVS CRI TICAL COMPETENCIES OF IN TEREST FOR THE SP AR
I-1.A. Staffing: Veterinarians and other professionalsII-6. Emergency response I-1.B. Staffing: Veterinary paraprofessionals and otherII-7. Disease prevention, control and eradication I-2.A. Professional competencies of veterinariansII-8.A. Regulation, authorisation and inspection of establishments I-2.B. Competencies of veterinary paraprofessionalsII-8.B. Ante and post mortem inspection I-3. Continuing educationII-8.C. Inspection of collection, processing and distribution I-5. Stability of structures and sustainability of policiesII-9. Veterinary medicines and biologicals I-6.A. Internal coordination (chain of command)II-10. Residue testing I-6.B. External coordinationII-12.B. Identification and traceability. Identification and traceability of animal products I-7. Physical resourcesIII-1. Communication I-8. Operational fundingIII-2. Consultation with interested parties I-9. Emergency fundingIII-3. Official representation I-10. Capital investmentIII-6. Participation of producers and other interested parties in joint programmes I-11. Management of resources and operationsIV-1. Preparation of legislation and regulations II-1.A. Access to veterinary laboratory diagnosisIV-2. Implementation of legislation and regulations and compliance thereof II-1.B. Suitability of national laboratory infrastructuresIV-3. International harmonisation II-2. Laboratory quality assuranceIV-4. International certification II-3. Risk analysisIV-6. Transparency II-4. Quarantine and border security II-5.A. Passive epidemiological surveillance II-5.B. Active epidemiological surveillanceANNEX 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE OIE PVS PATHWAY
Context
Art. 44.1, IHR (2005): State parties (SPs) shall undertake to collaborate with each other, to the extent The OIE provides assistance to its Member Countries to improve the quality of their national Veterinary Services in so that their capacity may be strengthened and better-aligned with OIE international standards. For that purpose, since 2006, the OIE has developed a global programme, the PVS (Performance of Veterinary Services) Pathway. Veterinary Services, as per the OIE definition, comprise both public and private sector veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals, working under the overall control and direction of the Veterinary Authority. Chapter 3.1 ‘Veterinary Services’ and Chapter 3.2
‘Evaluation of Veterinary Services’ of the OIE Terrestrial Code provide a legal basis for the OIE quality requirements for VS and for the PVS Pathway missions.
The OIE PVS Pathway is a comprehensive, multi-staged continuous process which uses a set of complementary tools designed to assist Veterinary Services in improving
their capacity to undertake their animal health, veterinary public health and other regulatory functions in closer compliance with the OIE Code. This process allows national Veterinary Services to identify weaknesses, strengths, and develop strategies to address existing gaps.
Country engagement in the OIE PVS Pathway is voluntary; a specific PVS Pathway mission will only be implemented further to the receipt of an official request from the OIE Delegate of the Member Country to the Director General of the OIE.
The sequence of capacity-building activities provided by the OIE PVS Pathway includes the following steps, in chronological order (Figure 1):
• The OIE PVS Evaluation, the first step in the OIE PVS Pathway, is a qualitative assessment of the performance of a country’s Veterinary Services and their compliance with OIE standards using the OIE PVS Tool. This external evaluation is conducted by a group of OIE-certified PVS Pathway experts and lasts between 2-3 weeks. Through a series of stakeholder meetings, site visits and documentation reviews, the experts assess the Veterinary Services’ level of compliance with OIE standards against 47 Critical Competencies (2013 edition). The final output is a comprehensive assessment, providing a complete overview the VS organisational structure, animal health, food safety and regulatory activities, their weaknesses and strengths.
It also includes constructive information on how to improve the country’s animal health system.
• The OIE PVS Gap Analysis or PVS Costing tool is the second step in the OIE PVS Pathway.
It consists in a 1-week mission which starts with a series of discussions between the VS and a team of OIE-certified PVS Pathway experts to determine the VS’ goals, and identify the strategy and activities needed to meet these. This planning step is structured around the levels of advancement obtained for each Critical Competency during the OIE PVS Evaluation, and the target levels of advancement the VS wish to reach within a 5-year timeframe. Using this information as a baseline, the costs to maintain current activities and perform additional activities, allowing to reach the identified targets, are determined. In the report, an indicative annual budget, a budget for exceptional investments, and a consolidated five-year budget for the national Veterinary Services are presented.
Further to the implementation of an OIE PVS Gap Analysis mission, additional specific technical expertise can be provided by the OIE to support the country’s endeavours to bettering compliance) with international standards. Some of the activities available to OIE Members under the PVS Pathway include:
- The PVS Veterinary Legislation Support Programme, assisting Countries in developing a strong legislative framework in the context of Chapter 3.4. ‘Veterinary Legislation’ of the Terrestrial Code;
- The PVS Pathway Laboratory mission providing Veterinary Services’ decision makers with information to better allocate appropriate budgets to the national veterinary laboratory network, better advocate for sufficient resources to support accurate and timely diagnosis, and make strategic decisions to ensure the sustainability of the laboratory network.
Lastly, OIE PVS Evaluation Follow-up missions follow the methodology of an OIE PVS Evaluation and provide an updated picture of the level of advancement of the VS. They allow to monitor the progress countries have made in sustainably improving their compliance with OIE standards. These missions may also suggest the implementation of other OIE PVS Pathway activities to remedy persistent problems.
Figure 1: Visual representation of the OIE PVS Pathway
Practical use of the tool
The aforementioned steps of the OIE PVS Pathway are based on the OIE PVS Tool. This Tool is structured around four Fundamental Components, used to assess Member Countries’ Veterinary Services (Table 2):
Table 2: Fundamental Components of the OIE PVS Tool Fundamental
Component 1 The human, physical and financial resources to attract resources and retain professionals with technical and leadership skills
Fundamental
Component 2 The technical authority and capability to address current and new issues including prevention and control of biological disasters based on scientific principles
Fundamental
Component 3 The sustained interaction with interested parties in order to stay on course and carry out relevant joint programmes and services
Fundamental Component 4
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
A total of 47 Critical Competencies grouped according to the relevant Fundamental Component are used in the OIE PVS Tool. The list of the 47 Critical Competencies is provided below in Table 3.
Table 3: 47 Critical Competencies of the PVS Tool.
47 Critical Competencies of the PVS Tool Human, physical and financial resources
I-1.A. Professional and technical staffing of the Veterinary Services. Veterinarians and other professionals I-1.B. Professional and technical staffing of the Veterinary Services. Veterinary paraprofessionals and
other technical professionals
I-2.A. Professional competencies of veterinarians including the OIE Day 1 competencies I-2.B. Competencies of veterinary para-professionals
I-3. Continuing education I-4. Technical independence
I-5. Stability of structures and sustainability of policies
I-6.A. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services. Internal coordination (chain of command) I-6.B. Coordination capability of the Veterinary Services. External coordination
I-7. Physical resources I-8. Operational funding I-9. Emergency funding I-10. Capital investment
I-11. Management of resources and operations
Technical authority and capability
II-1.A. Veterinary laboratory diagnosis. Access to veterinary laboratory diagnosis II-1.B. Veterinary laboratory diagnosis. Suitability of national laboratory infrastructures II-2. Laboratory quality assurance
II-3. Risk analysis
II-4. Quarantine and border security
II-5.A. Epidemiological surveillance and early detection. Passive epidemiological surveillance II-5.B. Epidemiological surveillance and early detection. Active epidemiological surveillance II-6. Emergency response
II-7. Disease prevention, control and eradication
II-8.A. Food safety. Regulation, authorisation and inspection of establishments for production, proces- sing and distribution of food of animal origin
II-8.B. Food safety. Ante and post mortem inspection at abattoirs and associated premises
II-8.C. Food safety. Inspection of collection, processing and distribution of products of animal origin II-9. Veterinary medicines and biologicals
II-10. Residue testing II-11. Animal feed safety
II-12. A. Identification and traceability. Animal identification and movement control II-12.B. Identification and traceability. Identification and traceability of animal products II-13. Animal welfare
47 Critical Competencies of the PVS Tool Interaction with interested parties III-1. Communication
III-2. Consultation with interested parties III-3. Official representation
III-4. Accreditation/authorisation/delegation
III-5.A. Veterinary Statutory Body (VSB). VSB Authority III-5.B. Veterinary Statutory Body (VSB). VSB Capacity
III-6. Participation of producers and other interested parties in joint programmes Access to markets
IV-1. Preparation of legislation and regulations
IV-2. Implementation of legislation and regulations and compliance thereof IV-3. International harmonisation
IV-4. International certification
IV-5. Equivalence and other types of sanitary agreements IV-6. Transparency
IV-7. Zoning
IV-8. Compartmentalisation
Critical competences
(6-18) 47 in total
5 levels of advancement 4 fundamental components
Human physical, Financial resources
Technical Capability Authority and
Interaction with interested
parties
Market access
For each of the Critical Competencies, five qualitative Levels of Advancement are described in a preformatted specific Critical Competency Card (see Figure 2). A higher level of advancement assumes that the Veterinary Services are complying with all preceding levels of compliance (e.g. level 3 assumes compliance with level 2 Advancement).
Figure 2: Structure of the PVS Tool
The following example in Table 4 shows the Critical Competency (CC) III-1 related to the capability of the Veterinary Services to inform partners of their activities and programmes.
OIE PVS Pathway reports inform and shape future national and/or regional investment plans to strategically improve Veterinary Services’ capacities and address the gaps emerging from the reports.
III-1 Communication
The capability of the VS to keep interested parties informed, in a transparent, effective and timely manner, of VS activities and programmes, and of developments in animal health and food safety.
This competency includes collaboration with relevant authorities, including other ministries and Competent Authorities, national agencies and decentralised institutions that share authority or have mutual interest in relevant areas
Levels of advancement
1. The VS have no mechanism in place to inform interested parties of VS activities and programmes.
2. The VS have informal communication mechanisms.
3. The VS maintain an official contact point for communication but it is not always up-to-date in providing information.
4. The VS contact point for communication provides up-to-date information, accessible via the Internet and other appropriate channels, on activities and programmes.
5. The VS have a well-developed communication plan, and actively and regularly circulate information to interested parties.
WHO: cme@who.int
OIE: regactivities.dept@oie.int
