Getachew Kebebew Tola

Head, Department of Veterinary Science

Background

Ethiopia covers several ecological zones with a wide variety of natural resources, many of which are favorable to various species of animals. Ethiopia possesses the largest livestock population in Africa, which is currently estimated to be 59.5 million cattle, 31 million sheep and 30 million goats, 8.6 million of equines, over one million of camels, 42.9 millions of poultry and 4.6 millions of bee colonies (CSA, 2016). The country has also considerable resources of the endemic wild animals such as Wallya, Nyala, Cheleda baboon etc. and aquatic animals of fresh water fish which used for food and export purposes. Its livestock sector has the largest resource base in Africa accounting for 17% of the cattle, 22% of the sheep, 13% of the goats, 49% of the equines and 9% of the camel population of the continent.

One of the major cause of economic losses and low productivity of livestock in Ethiopia is the existence of high prevalence of animal disease with its overt impact that include loss of farm productivity, reduced draught power output, difficult access to international market, zoonoses risks and impairment of human welfare. The direct loss due to mortality of livestock in Ethiopia is estimated to be 8-10% of the cattle, 14-16% of the sheep, and 11-13% of the goats. In addition to losses, which can be directly attributed to the infection of animals by various diseases, the impact on the agricultural sector and its development potential is far from negligible. In economic terms, the production losses from diseases are generally estimated to be more than 900 million birr or about 150 million US dollars annually. Moreover the animal health service delivery in Ethiopia has been growing in its slow development and by now only 9% is covered by veterinarians from the total 30% coverage. FAO’s recommendation in developing countries for preventive service is a minimum of one veterinarian for 37,000 livestock unit (LU), and for curative purpose one veterinarian for 5,000 LU but Ethiopia with its huge livestock population at present remains unsatisfactory with the number of veterinarians (less than 600 veterinarians (MoARD, 2009) veterinarian available but more than 39,200,000 LU) and with this trend the country is going to face the globalization trade with subsistent economy heavily dependent on traditional agriculture. The ratio, therefore, between the veterinarians and livestock population is not compatible to meet the desire target of the work in the veterinary discipline. Modern animal health services in Ethiopia started in the 1910’s with the aim of improving productivity and trades in animals, animal products as well as protecting the public from zoonotic diseases. Despite one century of experience on modern animal health activities there exists very few legislation and regulations on animal disease control and meat inspection, standards on drug importation and standardized use of veterinary drugs (DACA, 2006) and all this are associated with lack of adequate and competent professionals.

According to need assessment survey conducted by harmonized curriculum development, indicted that launching of Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree curriculum which is cost effective, compatible for extension service in rural districts, and enable to produce competitive, versatile jobs, self-employed veterinarians and which can promote better consultancy services on animal health and animal production to end-users. Moreover, the Curriculum for BVSc should incorporate the major competencies demanded for improved accomplishment of extension service delivery in urban and periurban farmer. Following a specifically defined prerequisite program, there could be a two- or three-year core program, standardized across the country. This would be followed by a one- or two-year program in an area of professional focus, which would lead to a DVM (professional focus) or MSc degree. If desired, a postgraduate program could follow, leading to additional advanced degrees e.g., PhD. The professional focused training could be provided in institutions that are different from those providing the core training.

Vision

Mission

Objectives

• To produce animal health professionals that will effectively handle individual clinical cases.
• To produce sufficient number of animal health professionals that will fill the gap of animal health services in every corner of the country
• To produce professionals that could be involved in the different government and private animal health activities.
• To produce trained professionals that will be involved in animal disease prevention and control programs in the country.

Staff profile

S.N.	Name	Specialization	Academic Rank	Email	Phone
1	Dr. Tadesse Birhanu Tesema	Infectious Disease	Asso. Prof.	drbirhan@yahoo.com	0911580783
2	Getachew Kebebew Tola	Veterinary Pathology	Asst. Prof.	gkebebew2009@gmail.com	0919482381
3	Dr. Yodit Ayele Tadesse	VPH	Asst. Prof.	yoditdz143@gmail.com	0947016178
4	Said Muhammed Hussen	Veterinary Parasitology	Lecturer	saidmuh2011@gmail.com	0922654995
5	Dr. Tesfaye Debelu Bedane	Veterinary Epidemiology	Asst. Prof.	tesfaye.debelu@gmail.com	0911964873
6	Dr. Solomon Amente Adugna	Veterinary Surgeon	Asst. Prof.	amentesolomon50@gmail.com	0922810025
7	Dr. Beritu Borena Namie	DVM	Chief-TA	berituborena@gmail.com	0938162553
8	Mestawet	Veterinary Microbiology	Chief-TA	mestawotasefamengesha@gmail.com	0924789442
9	Dr. Gebianesh Beyene Aredo	Veterinary Microbiology	Asst. Prof.	ggebeyabeyene@gmail.com	0966464434
10	Dr. Berhanu Tafese Gurmu	Veterinary Pharmacology	Asst. Prof.	berhanutafese1@gmail.com	0984881848