(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 February, 2026) - The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) at Bahir Dar University is proud to participate in a significant breakthrough in the nation’s scientific landscape with the unveiling of Ethiopia’s first-ever national guideline for the ethical handling, care, and use of laboratory animals. Launched at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), this framework transitions the country from over five decades of unregulated practice to a standardized legal system aligned with international best practices.

The School was prominently represented by its Dean, Dr. Yeshwas Ferede Alemu, who participated in the National Laboratory Animal Use and Care (IACUC) Formation Workshop, held on February 24, 2026, in Addis Ababa. Dr. Yeshwas contributed as a co-author of this landmark first edition of the National Laboratory Animal Use and Care Guideline of Ethiopia, and received a certificate of recognition from Prof. Afework Kassu Gizaw, Director General of AHRI, for his significant academic and professional contributions.

The new national guidelines establish clear, standardized requirements for laboratory animal husbandry and nutrition, breeding management and laboratory animal veterinary care across all public and private higher education and research institutions. Central to this framework is a commitment to the “3Rs.”

This milestone represents a critical step toward strengthening ethical standards and promoting animal welfare while simultaneously enhancing the quality and competitiveness of research nationwide. As the School of Veterinary Medicine at Bahir Dar University continues to lead in veterinary education and research, these standards will serve as a foundation for our ongoing commitment to responsible and ethical scientific inquiry.
 

By: Dr. Dagmawi Yitbarek, SVM Website Administrator