THE EXPERIENCE OF ESTABLISHING THE VETERINARY STATUTORY BODY

THE EXPERIENCE OF ESTABLISHING THE VETERINARY STATUTORY BODY IN KYRGYZSTAN • • Zh. Dadybaev, K. Mamatkulov, R. Tashbaeva

VETERINARY STATUTORY BODY • The OIE has recognized the need for all Members that have not already done so to create an independent Veterinary Statutory Body (VSB). • An effective VSB can help to ensure the excellence of the veterinary profession. • It is the responsibility of developed countries and international donors to assist developing countries improve their veterinary education for the global public good.

BACKGROUND • In 2007, Kyrgyz Government invited OIE experts to evaluate KG Veterinary Services and make recommendations for its improvement • OIE experts recommendations formed the basis of the Strategic Plan for the development of the Veterinary Services of Kyrgyzstan (# 62 dated February 25, 2008) • The Strategy provides the establishment of an independent body to regulate veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VETERINARY CHAMBER • In 2011, the Ministry of Agriculture organized a meeting to create the Veterinary Chamber – the private-public body • The main goal of this body was organizing and conducting of preparatory work to establish a real VSB complying with the OIE definition. • Financing of the VC establishment was included in the budget of Agricultural Investments and Services Project of the World Bank

ACTIVITIES OF THE VC 1. An information campaign to explain the role of a VSB to the veterinarians, farmers, public and private stakeholders • During an information campaign we faced some difficulties. 2. The website www. vet-palata. kg has been developed • The website has information about VC activities, role of VSB, trainings, educational materials for vets

ACTIVITIES OF THE VC 3. A legal framework for proper functioning of the VSB has been developed with assistance of OIE experts • The process of establishing a legal basis for VSB work takes some time due to necessity to make changes in other legal acts.

ACTIVITIES OF THE VC 4. A draft Code of Professional Conduct for veterinarians has been developed • For developing the Code of Professional Conduct we looked and read through more than thirty of different Codes • The Code of Professional Conduct first was submitted for consideration among leading veterinary stakeholders and then it was discussed among veterinarians throughout the Kyrgyzstan. • In near future we are expecting to adopt this document on the General Congress of KG veterinarians.

ACTIVITIES OF THE VC 5. A database of the private veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals has been created • The Database includes their names, date of birth, home and work addresses, education, contacts and work experience. • According to our database we have total 598 private veterinarians (with five year education) and 1296 veterinary paraprofessionals. There are 93 women.

In the course of this work, it was necessary to consider the following issues and questions: : 1. Should there be a requirement for public sector veterinarians to be registered by the VSB? 2. What is the difference between the Code of Veterinary Ethics and a Code of Professional Conduct? 3. Is the Veterinary Statutory Body part of the Veterinary Services of the country or not?

OUR VISION AND IDEAS 1. Should there be a requirement for public sector veterinarians to be registered by the VSB? ü The registration of public vets by VSB is an ideal version. ü Taking into account our conditions we are going initially to regulate only private vets. Therefore, public vets are regulated through some provisions, established by Government. At the same time there are not suitable rules regulating private veterinarians in Kyrgyzstan.

OUR VISION AND IDEAS 2. What is the difference between the Code of Veterinary Ethics and the Code of Professional Conduct? ü The “Ethics” has more philosophic meaning. ü It is difficult to evaluate, that is why we cannot use “tool”, which cannot be evaluated. ü We assume that we have to use the “Code of Professional Conduct” based on the veterinary ethics.

OUR VISION AND IDEAS 3. Is the Veterinary Statutory Body part of the country Veterinary Services? v The Veterinary Services are both governmental and non-governmental organizations that implement animal health and welfare measures and other standards and recommendations in the Terrestrial Code and the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code in the territory. v The Veterinary Services are under the overall control and direction of the Veterinary Authority.

SUMMARY: • In establishing an independent VSB in countries with transitional economy it needs to take into account that such institution is going to be new and need efforts in explanation for government structures, public and private vets, animal owners and educational institutions. • In establishing a legal framework requires technical assistance of OIE’s experts and national lawyers, also needs to make changes in other legal acts of the country.