Quality blood, serum and tissue samples are the basis for OIE compliance in the surveillance of disease and the monitoring of vaccine efficacy information. Developing appropriate technical skills in the veterinarians down to the level of the grass-roots where samples are collected is needed. The Rongchang MTOT team deliverable was successfully completed on August 19 and 20, 2009 which covered the learning contents of sampling, handling, transportation and documentation techniques for township level veterinarians.

This training was developed to meet recognized knowledge gaps based on observation of problems encountered at the county level where samples are received. it strengthened the trainees’ knowledge and skills of improving and standardizing the collection of blood, serum and tissues from pigs and chickens required for disease prevention, control, surveillance and monitoring, the techniques for handling, storing and shipping samples at the township level, the correct completion of documentation and introducing the concept of animal welfare with the administration of sedatives to all live animals being used to practice blood and serum collection. Moreover, the trainees raised their environmental awareness in the disposal of animals after completion of the training.

Under the coaching by the participatory training specialists of our project, MTOT worked on the steps of designing syllabus, compiling contents, making slides, finalization of slides, trial lectures, formal use, evaluation and modification related to the topic of necropsy of pigs and chicken, tissue and blood sample collection as well as the packaging and transportation techniques.

During a public signing ceremony, Dr. Javier Burchard, LHESP manager, signed an agreement with the Rongchang county government as a recognition of the importance of the cooperation efforts between the Canadian LHESP and the Government of Rongchang in supporting animal health extension and veterinary public health capacity building.

The full preparation of the training was shown by the considerate arrangement of training materials, trainees and animals. All the pictures and video clips were all operated and taken by the trainees on their own. The procedure of chicken necropsy was recorded as the result of our project.

Compared with the previous 2 participatory training practicum, the satisfaction of “GOOD”with the training was increased 2%, of “excellent” was 4.7%. The participatory training skills will correspondently improved from the objective data reacted by the trainees.

During the summing-up symposia, all the groups were giving positive feedbacks in chorus and bursting into applause to the 6 industrious trainers for their satisfaction with the training with successful combination between theory and practice. The students were also presenting their desire of longer training time and willing to take a 3 or 4 day training courses. The participatory trainining style was exerting an imperceptible influence on the veterinary service by osmosis.

His time, the training targets moved down to the grass-root veterinarians who are leaded by the attendants (directors of veterinary stations) of the previous two rounds of training practicum. However, the participants were not UNFAMILIAR to the participatory activities of grouping study, discussion and reporting at all. The section of hands on practice on sampling from standing hogs was operated in the slaughterhouse.

MTOT members from Pengzhou county were invited the training as observers, who exchanged achievement, experience and lectures learned from the finished work and the future plans. Chongqing MTOT team also expressed the wish to visit to Pengzhou.

This activity helped to improve the ability of MTOT team to conduct participatory trainings within a pilot county.