Press Release
Press Release from Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Sikkim Veterinarians Join National & State Lab Experts to Strengthen AMR Capacity through Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO-IN) of the United Nations Training Initiatives
Bengaluru, April 2, 2026 – With the recent establishment of a dedicated Bacteriology cum AMR laboratory under the State Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (SADDL), the Government of Sikkim has further reinforced its commitment to combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the animal food sector.
Building on this infrastructure, veterinarians from SADDL, along with other national and state lab experts, have actively participated in two key FAO-led capacity-building initiatives organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with DAHD-Government of India, NIVEDI, SRDDL, and State AH & VS Departments.
Prior Online Training (2025):
Participants completed a 6-hour FAO Virtual Learning Centres (VLCs) course (July 7 – August 13, 2025) on laboratory modules and AMR surveillance systems for India.
Hands-on Training on FAO-ATLASS (2026):
Upon official communication from FAO-India, Dr. Emila Shenga (Nodal Officer cum Additional Director, AMR) and Dr. Tashila Pintso (Veterinary Officer) represented Sikkim at the national “Hands-on Training on FAO-ATLASS Implementation” in Bengaluru (March 31 – April 2, 2026), alongside other national and state lab experts.
Key sessions led by FAO India and NIVEDI experts (Drs. R.K. Singh, Dr. B.R. Gulati, Dr. Jyoti Misri, Dr. Manju Soman, Dr. Shivasharanappa, Dr. Z.B. Dubal, Dr. R.D. Rathnamma) covered AMR challenges, ATLASS methodology, surveillance, case studies, and practical exercises.
The sustained participation, coupled with Sikkim’s new dedicated AMR laboratory infrastructure, underscores the state’s proactive role in advancing India’s national AMR action plan through the One Health approach, supported by The Pandemic Fund for Food Security and Nutrition.
Bengaluru, April 2, 2026 – With the recent establishment of a dedicated Bacteriology cum AMR laboratory under the State Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (SADDL), the Government of Sikkim has further reinforced its commitment to combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the animal food sector.
Building on this infrastructure, veterinarians from SADDL, along with other national and state lab experts, have actively participated in two key FAO-led capacity-building initiatives organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with DAHD-Government of India, NIVEDI, SRDDL, and State AH & VS Departments.
Prior Online Training (2025):
Participants completed a 6-hour FAO Virtual Learning Centres (VLCs) course (July 7 – August 13, 2025) on laboratory modules and AMR surveillance systems for India.
Hands-on Training on FAO-ATLASS (2026):
Upon official communication from FAO-India, Dr. Emila Shenga (Nodal Officer cum Additional Director, AMR) and Dr. Tashila Pintso (Veterinary Officer) represented Sikkim at the national “Hands-on Training on FAO-ATLASS Implementation” in Bengaluru (March 31 – April 2, 2026), alongside other national and state lab experts.
Key sessions led by FAO India and NIVEDI experts (Drs. R.K. Singh, Dr. B.R. Gulati, Dr. Jyoti Misri, Dr. Manju Soman, Dr. Shivasharanappa, Dr. Z.B. Dubal, Dr. R.D. Rathnamma) covered AMR challenges, ATLASS methodology, surveillance, case studies, and practical exercises.
The sustained participation, coupled with Sikkim’s new dedicated AMR laboratory infrastructure, underscores the state’s proactive role in advancing India’s national AMR action plan through the One Health approach, supported by The Pandemic Fund for Food Security and Nutrition.
