09 Jun 2013

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo has been awarded World Organisation for Animal Health Office International des Epitooties (OIE) meritorious award during the 81st general session of the OIE World Assembly of Delegates.

A news release from the ministry says Dr Letshwenyo received the award during the opening ceremony of the OIE general session recently in Paris, France.

OIE is an annual award given to personalities as a way to recognise, internationally, their outstanding technical, scientific and administrative contributions to the field of veterinary science and animal disease control.

The release says Dr Letshwenyo has contributed significantly to disease control, especially in the SADC region and has an unwavering commitment to the OIE ideals.

He also published several scientific papers on the control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the region.

Further, the release states that Dr Letshwenyo’s involvement with OIE started in 1998 after the eradication of cattle lung disease in the Ngamiland.

He also coordinated the control of FMD outbreaks in North East, Ngamiland, Chobe and Bobirwa.

His involvement in OIE activities led to his appointment into the OIE Ad Hoc Committees: Animal Commodity Trade (2007) and FMD Evaluations of Member States (2008).

Dr Letshwenyo is the only person in Africa who was awarded OIE meritorious award this year. The award is given to three people annually. ENDS