Members of the international network VSF International, including Vétérinaires Sans Frontières, place a high value on training so-called animal health workers (CAHWs in English, derived from Community Animal Health Workers). The importance of these animal health workers for rural areas on the African continent is very high because of the shortage here of qualified veterinarians to provide proper care for animals in smaller communities. In these areas inhabited by pastoralists and their animals, the shortage of quality and easily accessible animal health services leads to risks in terms of poverty, public health, food security and food security.

The policy brief below further discusses the importance of CAHWs to their communities and the key challenges they face in carrying out their work. It also suggests ways to address these challenges to ensure that the lives of these animals - and the farmers through whom they are kept - can be greatly improved.

The policy letter was drafted by VSF International and translated from English by Vets Without Borders. Prefer to read in English? Then click here.