Together solving the problem of rabies and emerging diseases from animals

The Memorandum of Understanding regarding the partnership framework was signed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien and FOUR PAWS Chief Representative in Vietnam, Mr. Gerald Dick just recently. The Companion Animal Technical Working Group (TWG) was also established under the One Health Partnership framework, focusing on animal welfare.

Deputy Minister Mr. Phung Duc Tien informed Mr. Gerald Dick about Vietnam's One Health approach in recent times. "The partnership framework was concretized by the One Health National Action Plan which was approved by three Ministries in March 2022. The plan has set out six main tasks and goals, with emphasis on minimizing the risk of the emergence and spread of new pathogens from animals to humans due to biological, environmental and human behavioral impacts".

According to the leader of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the signing of FOUR PAWS as an official member of the One Health Partnership framework will create a legal basis and make it more convenient for both sides to join hands, contribute and assist in solving health problems including the risk of future pandemics. In particular, pets such as dogs and cats are at significant risk, in which there are rabies and emerging diseases.

“Currently, the trade, captivity, transportation, and slaughter of dogs and cats in areas where pathogens are present, and in an unsafe, illegal, unvaccinated manner will make it difficult for Vietnam to achieve the target of rabies eradication by 2030," said the Deputy Minister.

In order to effectively implement the Partnership Framework, Deputy Minister Mr. Phung Duc Tien suggested that the FOUR PAWS have specific plans and actions to directly coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the coordinating role of the One Health Partnership, together with technical lead agencies (Department of Animal Health, Department of Livestock Production, Department of Forest Protection, etc.), implemented communication and training activities on animal welfare.

The first objective of these activities is to raise awareness and educate people to gradually eliminate and end the illegal trade and violent treatment of domestic animals and wild animals. The activities will also support the implementation of the Companion Animal Technical Working Group within the framework of the partnership framework, provide assistance in the development and implementation of activities to apply and enforce policies, regulations and laws on the humane treatment towards companion animals and farm animals to ensure public health and animal welfare.

On the side of FOUR PAWS, Mr. Gerald Dick, the Chief Representative in Vietnam said: “FOUR PAWS is honored to join Vietnam's One Health partnership framework to control infectious diseases from animals to humans. This is an outstanding example of multidisciplinary cooperation and partnership and will serve as a model for other countries. Together, we can make Vietnam and the world a safer and better place for people and animals.”

Mr. Gerald Dick also looks forward to discussing with stakeholders in the One Health framework soon in order to find ideas to solve the problem of the link between the dog and cat meat trade and rabies, the disease to which many parties are paying keen attention.

The Vietnam One Health Approach officially initiated operation in 2003 in Vietnam and was renamed to the One Health Partnership for Zoonoses in 2016. Since then, Vietnam was internationally recognized as one of the leading countries and successfully implemented the One Health Partnership framework for the prevention of zoonotic diseases.

Vietnam's One Health Partnership framework phase 2 (2021-2025) was co-signed in March 2021 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with the official participation of more than 30 developing partners inside and outside the country.

Official members including major bilateral international partners (the USA, UK, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia...), multilateral partners (UNDP, FAO...), international and non-governmental organizations. In particular, the partnership framework, which received the support and high commitment of the European Union (EU in Vietnam), affirms to accompany the One Health Partnership in Vietnam.