
The Seychelles, a picturesque island nation renowned for its biodiversity and pristine environment, is making strides in biosafety and biosecurity. With the support of the BIOCAP-ECA project, implemented under the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence initiative, the African country recently hosted two intensive weeks of training focusing on national risk assessment and biological waste management. This effort is setting the stage for improved public health and environmental safeguards.
Building Resilience: A National Priority
While the Seychelles enjoys isolation that protects it from many transboundary diseases, the increasing movement of goods and people presents unique challenges. Vanesia Dodin, Senior Risk Management Officer at the Disaster Risk Management Division and CBRN Focal Point for Seychelles, emphasised the importance of the project. “As a small island state, we are vulnerable to risks that may not be apparent on the mainland. This training has allowed us to identify vulnerabilities and prioritise actions,” she explained.
The focus on national risk assessment, tackled during the first week of training on 25-29th November 2024, provided the groundwork for a more proactive approach. Dodin highlighted that the Seychelles is moving from reactive to preventive strategies, a shift she believes is vital for resilience.
“With the support of the European Union and experts, we are now better equipped to handle potential biosecurity threats and ensure safety for our citizens and environment,” Dodin said.
Enhancing Laboratory Capabilities
At the heart of biosafety efforts is the Animal Health Laboratory, managed by Shariffa Joubert. The lab plays a critical role in diagnosing animal diseases that could impact public health and the economy. Joubert described the lab’s transformation: “Before, we depended on foreign labs to confirm diagnoses, which was costly and time-consuming. Now, with our fully functional lab, we can provide quicker and more accurate results.”
The laboratory has also benefited from the project’s focus on waste management during the Train the Trainer Workshop on Biological waste management and dealing with infectious waste incidents that took place on 2-6 December 2024. Joubert shared insights into the challenges they faced:
“Waste management wasn’t a top priority before, but the training opened our eyes to its complexity. The hands-on simulation exercises were particularly valuable in identifying gaps in our current practices.”
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Joubert noted that limited funding affects their ability to procure essential equipment and implement standard operating procedures. “We are grateful for the support we’ve received so far, but continuous investment is needed to sustain these improvements,” she added.
Discover the training photo gallery
Tackling Biological Waste Management
One of the key components of the BIOCAP-ECA initiative is biological waste management. Christopher Logue, Key Expert for BIOCAP-ECA and Head of International Training at the UK Health Security Agency, led the sessions on waste segregation and treatment.
“Effective waste management is crucial to reducing risks associated with infectious materials. By properly segregating hazardous and non-hazardous waste, we can significantly reduce the burden on resources and infrastructure,” he explained.
The workshop featured hands-on exercises that allowed participants to simulate real-life scenarios, such as handling highly infectious waste. “We created a scenario where untreated infectious waste posed a serious threat. Participants had to develop dynamic risk assessments and practical solutions,” Logue recounted. The exercise underscored the importance of preparedness and collaborative problem-solving.
Discover the training photo gallery
Collaboration Across Borders and Future Opportunities
The training also brought together professionals from Kenya, fostering a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. Dodin remarked on the value of international collaboration: “Learning from the Kenyan team’s experiences was eye-opening. Their insights helped us identify areas for improvement and reinforced the importance of shared knowledge.”
“The cross-border exchange of best practices has been instrumental. It’s not just about learning new techniques but understanding how to adapt them to our unique context,” Joubert echoed this sentiment.
Despite the progress made during the two-week initiative, the Seychelles faces ongoing challenges. Resource constraints, including limited space and infrastructure for waste treatment, remain significant hurdles. Rahul Mangroo, Deputy CEO of the country’s Landscape and Waste Management Agency who joined the first training week, highlighted gaps in waste collection and treatment. “Support is needed to strengthen the collection and treatment of hazardous waste. We’re making progress, but there’s still a long way to go,” he said.
However, solutions do not always require high-cost infrastructure. As explained by BIOCAP-ECA trainers, “a risk-assessed approach can often address challenges effectively without heavy investments. The focus should be on practical, scalable solutions that fit local contexts.”
Discover the training photo gallery
A Vision for the Future
Education and awareness are key to sustaining these advancements. As Dodin stressed, engaging the public, as well as professionals, is essential: “Biosafety and biosecurity are not just issues for labs and institutions; they affect everyone. Public education is crucial to fostering a culture of safety and responsibility.”
Looking ahead, the Seychelles aims to validate and implement its draft guidelines and Standards Operating Procedures for biosafety and biosecurity. The reconstitution of the national CBRN team will also ensure that the knowledge gained is integrated into policies and practices across ministries.
“We are building capacity not just for today but for the future,” Dodin said. “This initiative is about creating a resilient Seychelles that can confidently navigate the challenges of a globalised world.”
The success of the initiative owes much to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders. “We’re grateful to the EU, the CBRN Centres of Excellence, and all the experts who contributed to this project,” Dodin concluded. “Their support has been invaluable in helping us take these critical steps forward.”
To know more about the EU CBRN CoE support for CBRN risk mitigation in Eastern and Central Africa, visit the ECA Regional Secretariat page.
Details
- Publication date
- 22 January 2025
- Authors
- Service for Foreign Policy Instruments | Joint Research Centre
- CBRN areas
- Bio-safety/bio-security
- Protection of material/facilities
- Public and infrastructure protection
- Public health impact mitigation
- Safety and security
- Waste management
- CBRN categories
- Biological
- CoE Region
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa