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Following the assessment of four veterinary laboratories in Antananarivo, Madagascar, WOAH supported the revision of the chapter on veterinary laboratories in the National Manual on Security, Biosafety and Biosecurity for Laboratories in Madagascar as part of the Fortifying Institutional Resilience Against Biological Threats (FIRABioT) project. During a drafting workshop held from 4 – 10 July 2026, the chapter on veterinary laboratories was revised. Subsequently, a validation workshop was held from 17 to 19 August 2026 in Antananarivo.
The validation workshop brought together representatives from veterinary laboratories, including the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Laboratoire National de Diagnostic Vétérinaire, LNDV), the Department of Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine and Aquaculture Research (Département de Recherches Zootechniques, Vétérinaires et Piscicoles, DRZVP) of the National Centre for Applied Research in Rural Development (Foibem-pirenena momba ny Fikarohana ampiharina amin’ny Fampandrosoana ny eny Ambanivohitra, FOFIFA), the Malagasy Institute of Veterinary Vaccines (Institut Malgache des Vaccins Vétérinaires, IMVAVET), Mahaliana Labs, and the Department of Veterinary Sciences and Medicine (Département d’Enseignement des Sciences et de Médecine Veterinaires, DESMV) at the University of Antananarivo. Experts from the aquatic animal health, public health, environmental and research sectors also participated.
Mr. Ian Peter Busuulwa, FIRABioT Project Officer, delivering opening remarks on behalf of Dr. Moetapele Letshwenyo, WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa. Picture © E. Wijers (woah) 2026.
The workshop was officially opened by Dr Tantely Randriamparany, Director of the LNDV, on behalf of Dr Zo Harimamy Andrianasandratra, WOAH Delegate for Madagascar and Director of Veterinary Services (Directrice des Services Vétérinaires, DSV). Dr Randriamparany thanked WOAH and Integrated Quality Laboratory Services (IQLS), the technical partner for this activity, for their support and highlighted the importance of developing a national manual to address Madagascar’s biological risk management challenges.
Opening remarks on behalf of Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo, WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa, were delivered by Mr. Ian Peter Busuulwa, FIRABioT Project Officer. Throughout the three-day workshop, participants worked in groups to analyse, adjust and present their proposed amendments in plenary sessions. The sessions were moderated by Dr Abdoulaye Nikiema, Director of IQLS Africa, and Dr Nirharosoa Randriamora, FIRABioT Activity Focal Point for Madagascar. On the third day, the updated manual was unanimously validated by the participants.
An editorial team composed of national biosafety and biosecurity experts and facilitators ensured that feedback provided by international experts was appropriately incorporated prior to the validation workshop. The team comprised:
Group picture of the editorial team. Fltr: Emma Wijers, FIRABioT Consultant; Dr. Mirantsoa Rokotomalala, LNDV; Dr. Abdoulaye Nikiema, Director IQLS Africa; Dr. Bettelhein Ramahefasoa, DVS and former WOAH Delegate for Madagascar; Dr. Nirharosoa Randriamora, Activity Focal Point and LNDV; Dr. Jean Philibert Rakotondrainiarivelo, DRZVP; Francine Mavo Razanabao, IMVAVET; Santatra Randrianarisoa, Mahaliana Labs; Dr. Ngola Ravaoarivelo, DESMV. Picture © E. Wijers (woah) 2026.
Additionally, the WOAH delegation visited the FAO multi-country office for Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles to discuss possible collaboration between the two organisations to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity capacities in Madagascar and align their efforts
Group picture with the WOAH delegation following the meeting with the FAO multi-country office for Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Fltr: Dr. Jobert Tchuidjang, FAO Team Leader for Animal Health and Production; Dr. Alicia Raharimandimbisoa, FAO Epidemiology Specialist; Ian Peter Busuulwa, FIRABioT Project Officer; Emma Wijers, FIRABioT Consultant. Picture © I. Busuulwa (woah) 2026.
Going forward, the national manual will be officially launched by the Veterinary Services of Madagascar. Based on the national manual, veterinary laboratories will develop laboratory-specific manuals to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices at the institutional level and increase the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to biological threats. The validation of the biological risk management manual for veterinary laboratories is part of Madagascar’s activities as a beneficiary of the Fortifying Institutional Resilience against Biological Threats (FIRABioT) project. This project is funded by Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Programme in support of the Global Partnership Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa.
