AUC and GALVmed sign MOU on control and eradication of Trypanosomiasis

Addis Ababa, November 9, 2012- The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance efforts to control and eradicate African animal Trypanosomiasis. The AUC’s Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) through its Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) Office, has been working in close collaboration with GALVmed in the fight against the scourge of tsetse and trypanosomiasis. Consequently, in an effort to enhance collaboration between AU-PATTEC and GALVmed, the MOU was signed today by DREA Commissioner, Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime and Professor Andrew Peters, Interim Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Chairman Board of Directors of GALVmed. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mrs. Tumusiime commended GALVmed’s commitment in tackling animal diseases in Africa. She said the MOU was of cardinal importance as it enhanced efforts by the two organisations to control trypanosomiasis. Mrs. Tumusiime stressed that AU-PATTEC was a critical unit in DREA as it was fighting trypanosomiasis, that not only affected animals but human beings as well. “With the support of AU-PATTEC, the GALVmed Trypanosomiasis project has become more visible and is serving its purpose.” She said. “Trypanosomosis is one of Africa’s greatest constraints to rural development and I am very pleased that you have been working to contain this problem in the last 2 years.’’ Also speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Peters said the MOU was of critical importance to GALVmed as it would enable intensive collaboration with AU-PATTEC, in the two institution’s efforts to detect trypanosomiasis in animals and develop new products for its treatment and control. The MoU signed today will facilitate collaboration between the Parties in matters of common interest, namely the promotion and improvement of animal health, protection of livestock and saving human life and in particular exploring means for achieving control and eradication of African animal Trypanosomiasis throughout Africa. AU-PATTEC and GALVmed will work together to conceptualise, plan and implement research, develop, validate and deploy animal health products and services related to African animal Trypanosomosis within the Framework of the PATTEC Initiative which, will be of benefit to resource-poor livestock keepers in Africa.