3rd AFSCAN and VAN Congress 2024
In November 2024 the AFSCAN Board and Ambassadors Meeting took place in Swakopmund, Namibia. All AFSCAN countries were represented: Burundi (Dr JC Manirambona), Ethiopia (Dr S Tezera), Ghana (Dr K Mensah Kwao) Kenya (Dr L Mathai) Nigeria (Dr O Nasir), Tanzania (Dr Y Nangula), Uganda (Dr S Okech), Zambia (Dr N Mudenda), Namibia (Dr A Marko). As prospective new member Dr C Oliveira from Angola was also invited to the meeting.
The board was represented by Dr Gabriel Varga (President), Dr Kevin Stevens, Dr Derick Chibeu, Dr Remo Lobetti (Prof Mary Marcondes and Dr Rafael Vieira via zoom).
Each ambassador presented the structure and activities of their associations. We had great discussions of the challenges faced by the individual associations and shared possible solutions and ideas on how to grow associations, involve more members, improve continued education and setting up community projects, like rabies vaccination campaigns.
This sharing of ideas and networking among ambassadors is proving to be of immense value for all, as it pools ideas and creativity and inspires individuals to take action.
While it is a great opportunity for the younger associations to learn from the longer established ones, everyone learns form everyone and get’s challenged to go further and dream bigger.
Following the meeting, all ambassadors attended the Veterinary Association of Namibia’s 3-day Annual Scientific Congress at the Dome Hotel in Swakopmund.
AFSCAN together with the support of BSAVA provided two fantastic lecturers for the Michael J Day Small Animal Lecture Stream, Dr Remo Lobetti and Dr Martin de Scally.
140 veterinarians from 12 different African countries attended the VAN Congress 2024.
The Small Animal lectures were recorded to be made available to members of AFSCAN Countries in 2025.