Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Veterinary diagnostic laboratories in developing countries: the challenge of credibility.
- Journal:
- Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics)
- Year:
- 1998
- Authors:
- Robinson, M M & Jeggo, M H
- Affiliation:
- Animal Production Unit
Plain-English summary
Veterinary diagnostic laboratories in developing countries face several challenges that can affect their ability to provide accurate testing for animal diseases. These challenges include not having enough money to hire skilled staff or buy necessary equipment and supplies, as well as difficulties in collecting samples properly for disease monitoring. While some countries are trying to solve these issues on their own, organizations like the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) play an important role in setting guidelines for reliable testing methods and ensuring quality standards. Without these guidelines, it will be hard for these laboratories to gain the trust needed to compete in the global market for livestock and related products. Overall, improving these laboratories is crucial for enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of veterinary diagnostics in developing countries.
Abstract
The problems facing veterinary diagnostic laboratories in developing countries range from simple problems, such as limited funds to keep good personnel or obtain equipment, supplies, reagents or training, to the more complex problems of designing and executing appropriate sample collection schemes for disease surveillance of evaluating the performance characteristics of a new diagnostic assay. While many developing countries are addressing these problems independently and a number of international and national organisations provide various forms of external support, the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) must continue in its critical role to provide guidelines for the most appropriate diagnostic assays for trade purposes and the development of the primary reference reagents for these assays. In addition, the OIE should take the lead in development of quality management guidelines for veterinary diagnostic testing laboratories. Without these guidelines and standards, diagnostic laboratories in developing countries will have difficulty in gaining the credibility necessary to help improve the positions of their countries in the international trade of livestock and livestock commodities.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9713890/