Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Uzbekistan's State Committee for Veterinary and Livestock Development, successfully hosted the visit of Dmitry Morozov, FAO’s International Expert on Animal Health Workforce Development. This mission was a pivotal component of the Pandemic Fund project, “Preparedness and Response to Pandemics through One Health in Central Asia.”

The visit focused on advancing veterinary and veterinary para-professionals (VPPs) education (both initial and continuing), workforce development (including assessment and planning), and capacity building to address public health challenges effectively. During his mission, Dmitry Morozov engaged with leading academic institutions, veterinary colleges, and government representatives to discuss evidence-based recommendations and strategic plans. These efforts emphasized aligning veterinary curricula with international standards, enhancing training for veterinary professionals, and strengthening the overall veterinary workforce in Uzbekistan.

A key highlight of the mission was the presentation of findings from recent evaluations of veterinary and VPPs education and training programs, utilizing the Ohio State University Curriculum Assessment tool, Curriculum Alignment Matrix (CAM), and tools for field assessment. These results provided the foundation for targeted improvements to equip Uzbekistan’s veterinary professionals to address modern challenges, including zoonotic disease control, antimicrobial resistance, and pandemic preparedness.

This initiative demonstrated FAO’s commitment to the One Health approach, fostering collaboration across sectors to improve animal, human, and environmental health. It also aligned with Uzbekistan's national priorities to build resilient veterinary systems contributing to global health security.

Quotes

Dmitry Morozov, FAO International Expert, commented:  “Uzbekistan has immense potential to lead in veterinary workforce development in Central Asia. Through strengthened education, training, and strategic workforce planning, we can achieve significant progress in enhancing public health and addressing global health challenges.”

Representatives from the State Committee for Veterinary and Livestock Development added:  “This collaboration with FAO marks an important step toward building a robust and well-prepared veterinary workforce in Uzbekistan, ensuring the safety and health of both animals and people.”

The Pandemic Fund project, supported by the World Bank, aims to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms for pandemics in Central Asia. It emphasizes a multidisciplinary One Health approach, addressing challenges at the nexus of animal, human, and environmental health.