X-RAYING THE PPP INITIATIVES WITHIN THE VETERINARY DOMAIN (PART 3)

INTRODUCTION

In the 2nd edition of “X-Raying the PPP Initiatives within the Veterinary Domain,” we (Ogheneovo and Gbenga) shed light on the PPP charter and the list of public/private sector players within the Veterinary Domain. We provided insights on the role of each player in a PPP, although we highlighted that roles are dependent on the categories of Public-Private Partnership initiated.

In this edition, we will be x-raying the three broad categories of PPP within the veterinary domain – Transactional, Collaborative, and Transformational PPP. ?Using a case from Tunisia, we will highlight the pros and cons of the Transactional-type PPP.

THE 3 BROAD PPP CATEGORIES

The World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) broadly categorized PPP into transactional, collaborative, and transformational. Here is what each looks like…

WOAH confirmed that experts within the veterinary domain should not be limited by these categories so other types can be designed especially when it is governed by the PPP Charter. It is also advised that the categories can exist as a single unit within a project, but they can also be combined within a project.

TRANSACTIONAL PPP: The Tunisia Case Study (Excerpt from WOAH handbook)

In 2006, the Ministry of Agriculture through its Veterinary Service Department, partnered with private veterinarians to mandate the vaccination of livestock.

Inputs by the Tunisian Veterinary Authorities

Prior to this, the government of Tunisia had instituted a law to support mandating some public services to private veterinarians.

According to Tunisia’s “Law on Animal Husbandry and Animal Products” Title IV, Chapter I and Article 24:

“A fee may be granted to veterinary practitioners for carrying out the sanitary operations provided for by this Law in respect to the sanitary mandate. The sanitary mandate gives the status of public official to its holder to carry out exclusively the missions entrusted to veterinarians of the public sector. The conditions for granting the sanitary mandate are set by order of the minister in charge of agriculture”.

If we look at this law, we will find that it was further strengthened by other laws under Chapter II of same Title IV.

In addition to providing financial resources for compensating private veterinarians, the Veterinary Authority assumed several critical responsibilities. These included developing strategic plans and relevant legislation to ensure the effective delivery of veterinary services. The Authority also provided essential material resources, such as vaccines, and played a key role in supporting human resources and capacity development during the project implementation.

Inputs from private veterinarians

On the other hand, the private veterinarians brought valuable expertise in specialized subject matter areas, significantly contributing to the overall success of the initiatives. They managed logistics efficiently, ensuring that resources were distributed and utilized effectively through the veterinary syndicates. Furthermore, they offered advisory support to various stakeholders within the livestock industry, including breeders, enhancing their operational efficiency and productivity.

The private sector also took the lead in funding awareness generation campaigns, which were crucial for educating and informing stakeholders and the public about the importance of veterinary health and best practices. These campaigns helped in building a well-informed community, fostering better cooperation and compliance with veterinary standards and regulations.

All these roles and responsibilities were meticulously outlined in their contractual agreements, ensuring clarity and accountability. The agreements served as a comprehensive framework, detailing the expectations and obligations of each party. This structured approach facilitated a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, ensuring the successful implementation of veterinary programs and initiatives.

It all started by piloting within 6 provinces by 10 private veterinarians. These veterinarians, during the initial phase of the PPP, were represented by the Veterinary Statutory body to sign the deal and the vaccination was provided free of charge for the farmers while the government paid to the private veterinarians based on milestone achievements.

The Outputs, Outcomes and Impact on Tunisia

The clearly defined roles and responsibilities not only promoted transparency and trust between the parties but also ensured that each party could leverage their strengths effectively. By combining the strategic oversight and resource provision capabilities of the Veterinary Authority with the specialized knowledge and operational efficiency of the private sector, the partnership was well-positioned to achieve its goals and drive significant improvements in the veterinary domain

At the pilot stage in 2006, 4 private veterinarians were mandated but as of 2018, there were over 260 mandated private veterinarians as the initiative was scaled across other provinces in Tunisia. Due to this, the vaccination coverage increased by 27% for Foot and Mouth disease in 2018. This was because the vaccination coverage increased from 48% in 2006 to 75% in 2018.

Challenges

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in the handbook identified two significant challenges: inter-professional coordination among stakeholders and the sustainability of the initiative, which heavily depended on the government's political will to continue funding.

Inter-professional coordination is crucial for the success of Transactional PPPs. It involves effective communication and collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, private companies, veterinary professionals, and livestock breeders. The lack of seamless coordination can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and inefficiencies, undermining the overall effectiveness of the partnership.

The sustainability of these initiatives is another major concern. Continued government support and funding are vital for the long-term success of PPPs. However, this support can be unpredictable and subject to changes in political priorities and economic conditions. If the government withdraws its financial backing, the entire initiative could be at risk, jeopardizing the progress made and the goals set.

Wearing the lens of a Market Development expert, Transactional Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) may result in the potential creation of an artificial market that is not based on the real cost of things, hence no real structure is developed that endures beyond the funds. Also, commercial availability which creates lasting access is not developed with this type of arrangement.

Additional potential challenges include those in the figure below:

Addressing these challenges is essential to the successful implementation and sustainability of Transactional PPPs in the veterinary domain.

CONCLUSION

When there is proper coordination between both partners by following the stepwise implementation of “The Transactional PPP”, it will be successful. As experts,

Gbenga Ariyo:

“Establishing a Forum where the Strategic leaders (Minister, Governor, Commissioners, and CEO/MD) can meet to discuss resource mobilization is key to a functional Transactional PPP. Without such a platform, the partnership is unlikely to function effectively”.

Ogheneovo Ugbebor:

“Transactional PPP has its place in addressing short-term needs, not necessarily suited for driving long-term changes.”

WHAT NEXT

In the next publication, we will be presenting a case study where the Collaborative PPP is further explained.

Jointly written by Gbenga Ariyo and Ogheneovo Ugbebor

Ogheneovo Ugbebor is a market systems development (MSD) expert with Master’s Degree in Social Business & Entrepreneurship and Operations & Supply Chain. She brings over 15 years of experience in national and multi-country development programs across various donors. As a Managing Partner at Ikore, Ovo leads numerous business interests, including consultancies focused on nature-based solutions, food systems, and economic growth.

Dr. Gbenga Ariyo is an Epidemiologist and Market Development Expert with over 15 years of experience. He currently serves as a Technical Lead and Advisor at Ikore International Development. Dr. Ariyo is also a self-taught expert in Public-Private Partnerships, demonstrating a strong ability to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors to foster development and innovation.