World Veterinary Day 2025: ESMV at the Heart of Collective Action for Animal Health

WORLD VETERINARY DAY 2025: ESMV AT THE HEART OF COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences (ESMV) of the University of Ngaoundéré hosted the celebration of World Veterinary Day (#WVD) under the theme « Animal Health is an Effort of Teamwork. » Held under the patronage of Professor YAOUBA AOUDOU, Director of ESMV, and organised by the National Veterinary Council of Cameroon (#ONVC), the event took place at the Dr. HAMADJODA ADJOUDJI Auditorium, bringing together veterinarians, students, farmers, researchers, and institutional partners in a shared commitment to strengthen synergies against health and climate challenges.

In his opening speech, Professor YAOUBA AOUDOU paid a heartfelt tribute to Minister Dr. HAMADJODA ADJOUDJI, pioneer of veterinary medicine in Cameroon. He emphasised the vital need for collective action against emerging zoonoses and resource-related challenges, stating that « animal health requires collective action. » He also highlighted ESMV’s major role in the interdisciplinary training of future veterinarians through the One Health approach, the implementation of practical internships with farmers and technicians, and applied research conducted in partnership with institutions like CEVA Santé Animale and CAPHAVET. His vision is clear: « Let’s break down barriers for inclusive and resilient animal health. »

Following him, Dr HAMADOU, representing the ONVC, reminded the audience that World Veterinary Day, established in 2000, has been celebrated in Cameroon since 2013 with the involvement of the Ministry of Livestock. The 2025 theme is seen as « a recognition, a call, an ambition » to unite veterinarians, technicians, farmers, and policymakers. He also reiterated the ONVC’s commitment to promoting continuous training, ethics, and collaborative innovation within the veterinary profession.

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr Mahamat Dinar from CAPHAVET, gathered several distinguished speakers: Professor YAOUBA AOUDOU, Dr. HAMADOU (ONVC), Dr. BAH ABDOULHAKIM DEWA (Regional Delegation for Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries – Adamaoua), Dr. Mahamat Dinar (CAPHAVET), Dr. IBRAHIMA DJIBO (CEVA-LAPROVET Laboratory), Dr. CHE FRU Landry (President of ESMV Alumni), Dr. LEBALE OUMAROU (Veterinary Clinic of the Agropole) and Dr. HAOUWAOU IBRAHIM (Barkavet Clinic). After the opening speeches, each panelist took the floor to share their experiences, best practices, and advice with the audience.

Dr LEBALE OUMAROU emphasised the importance of collaboration between veterinarians and human health specialists, particularly in radiology, to optimise animal care. He also stressed the need for quality communication with animal owners to ensure accurate diagnoses. Meanwhile, Dr. HAOUWAOU IBRAHIM, a young entrepreneur and director of Barkavet Clinic, highlighted the necessity of teamwork and collaboration from veterinary school onwards, key éléments of her entrepreneurial success.

Dr BAH ABDOULHAKIM DEWA, representing the Regional Delegation for Livestock, presented the missions of the Ministry of Livestock, such as regulation, epidemiological surveillance, and support for import-substitution policies. Dr. IBRAHIMA DJIBO from CEVA-LAPROVET Laboratory spoke about the prestige of the veterinary profession, the international scope of CEVA Santé Animale, and the importance of collaboration with local distributors like CAPHAVET to strengthen vaccination and prophylaxis campaigns. He encouraged students to initiate collective projects eligible for grant programmes.

Dr CHE FRU Landry, President of the ESMV Alumni Association, praised the mentorship initiatives set up by the association to support students in their professional intégration, through sponsorship, entrepreneurship support, and internship opportunities.

The second phase of the day was devoted to a Q&A session, allowing students and participants to obtain insightful answers on key topics: collaboration between animal and human health sectors, the fight against professional rivalry among veterinarians, and ways to strengthen local synergies. Experts such as Dr. DEWA, Dr. DJIBO, and Dr. HAMADOU emphasised the importance of the One Health approach and the epidemiological alert networks established by the Ministry, as well as ONVC’s ongoing efforts to support young veterinarians’ professional insertion.

To conclude this rich day of exchanges and commitments, Professor YAOUBA AOUDOU warmly thanked all participants and partners for their exemplary mobilisation. He reaffirmed ESMV’s determination to strengthen its training programmes, emphasizing discipline, ethics, and professional conduct — essential pillars for a strong and respected veterinary medicine.