As part of efforts to enhance laboratory diagnostic capacity under the Pandemic Fund Project of the OECS, a series of assessments focused on veterinary laboratory capabilities across the Federation officially commenced following the implementation and intersectoral meeting held in mid-July.

The first assessment took place at the newly constructed Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory located in La Guerite, Basseterre, St. Kitts. This is the first of three scheduled assessments aimed at evaluating existing veterinary lab infrastructure and identifying the resources needed to better detect, confirm, and respond to animal and zoonotic diseases.

The visit was conducted by Ms. Gisella de Oliveira Dias da Silva, Animal Health Specialist, and Ms. Ana Maria Nicola, Laboratory Specialist, both from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with technical staff from the Department of Agriculture.