EVALUATION REPORT. CENTRAL VETERINARY LABORATORY (1961-1976) MINISTRY OF PRODUCTION, BAMAKO, MALI (APRIL 1-15, 1976)

Evaluatn team conducted a 2 week onsite evaluatn at Bamaro and 2 field stations, and performed a project analysis based on widely dispersed basic documents. The Project was designed to: 1. diagnose animal diseases, 2. make vaccines to fight pleuropneumonia.Rinderpest, anthrax.pasteurella, and black leg; and 3.do research in regional animal disease. Vaccines for only the first 2 diseases are made in sufficient quantity to meet Mali"s needs, due to an inadequate operating budget. Evaluator recommends increased quality controls (sterility control, pyrogeneity testing, and in-vivo testing of vaccine), and increased production of short-supply items and aviary vaccines. Establishment of priorities is also recommended for medium-range efforts in diagnosis and research, as is a conference of African countries aimed at coordinating laboratory functions and facilities in order to avoid duplication. Evaluator recommends investigation of the Central Veterinary Lab (CVL) by a specialist in occupational hazards of vaccine laboratories to avoid accidents like the 1974 explosion which resulted in disfigurement of personnel. Financial and procedural recommendations are aimed at seeking means of economizing and of supplementing finances, and at maintaining basic documents for periodic audit. Negotiations with contractors have been beset by many problems due to inappropriate decisions, designs, and clearances, as well as to contractor"s failures. A notable exception was a maintenance contract with the Organization of Rehabilitation and Training which trained local personnel in repair and maintenance of CVL equipment. Investigation has determined that CVL"s finances have been overburdened by association with the Ministry of Health Solution Production Lab. This association has also overburdened the available water supply and led to the 1974 explosion. Evaluator states that further efforts such as the tse tse research in "Mali Livestock 2" represents too great a drain on CVL"s finances and facilities.