Pictured: Dr Faouzi Kechrid.

Dr Kechrid to be recognised for One Health contribution.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced the next recipient of its Award for Global Meritorious Service, Dr Faouzi Kechrid.

WSAVA member representative for Tunisia, Dr Kechrid will receive the award in recognition of his contribution to the One Health movement.

Alongside his achievements in the One Health movement, the award will also celebrate Dr Kechrid's contribution to the profession in Tunisia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. 

Dr Kechrid commented on his award: “I am very humbled and proud of this recognition by the WSAVA and I want to express to all of its members my deepest gratitude.”

Having worked in several different fields of veterinary medicine throughout his long and celebrated career, Dr Kechrid has contributed meritorious service across many sectors of the profession, including working as a consultant and advisor to the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

Working on projects including an assessment of avian influenza and transboundary animal diseases in the Middle East and North Africa, and the coordination of many high-profile veterinary conferences, Dr Kechrid's contribution to One Health has been influential and significant. 

Dr Kechrid is currently the president of the Association Vétérinaire Euro-Arabe and the African Veterinary Association, and founder and vice president of the Fédération des Associations Francophones des Vétérinaires (FAFVAC).

Dr Kechrid continued: “Thanks to your recognition and the Global Meritorious Award you have honored me with, I feel even more energized to continue to serve my profession and to encourage the development of our new active veterinary generation.”

In addition to his role as WSAVA representative for Tunisia, Dr Kechrid is a member of WSAVA's Translation Access Taskforce, which makes the organisation's resources accessible to Arabic speakers. 

Dr Siraya Chunekamrai, WSAVA president, said: “It is a privilege simply to know Dr Kechrid so the opportunity to honor such an altruistic, generous and brave leader of the veterinary profession is a real honor for our community. 

“I am so happy to be able to express our gratitude to Dr Kechrid for all that he has done – and continues to do - for our profession.”

The award will be presented to Dr Kechrid at the WSAVA World Congress, taking place from 29-31 October 2022 in Lima, Peru.

Image (C) WSAVA