Disease Investigation Center Jayapura Undergoes External LMT Assessment to Strengthen Animal Disease Diagnostic Capacity

Jayapura – In an effort to enhance service standards and improve the accuracy of animal disease diagnostics in Eastern Indonesia, the Disease Investigation Center Jayapura (DIC) or Balai Veteriner Jayapura (BV Jayapura) undergoes an external assessment using the Laboratory Mapping Tool (LMT). The two-day assessment was conducted on 21–22 May 2026 at the DIC Jayapura, Papua Province.

The external assessment involved both international and national assessors, including Luca Purfiri from FAO Regional Asia Pasific as the lead assessor, accompanied by Farida Camallia Zenal from FAO ECTAD Indonesia and Ledi Ermansyah from Directorate of Animal Health. The assessment team conducted on-site evaluations of laboratory testing facilities, reviewed quality management documents, and held intensive discussions with staff members and key personnel of the DIC Jayapura.

The Laboratory Mapping Tool (LMT) is an internationally recognized instrument developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to comprehensively assess the capacity and capability of veterinary laboratories. The tool evaluates various aspects, including management systems, biosafety and biosecurity, testing quality, and infrastructure readiness.

Head of the DIC Jayapura, Tri Juwianto, welcomed the assessment and emphasized that the visit by the external assessment team represented an important opportunity to evaluate the laboratory’s position within the global veterinary laboratory network.

“This assessment is not merely an audit, but also a roadmap for us to continuously improve our laboratory services and quality standards. We are committed to developing the Jayapura Veterinary Center into an accurate and reliable veterinary laboratory that meets both national and international standards in safeguarding animal and public health in Papua,” he stated.

Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations appreciated the strong commitment demonstrated by the entire Jayapura Veterinary Center team. FAO highlighted that strengthening laboratory capacity in Eastern Indonesia is highly strategic for the early detection of animal diseases, particularly transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses, which pose potential threats to food security and public health.

At the conclusion of the assessment on 22 May 2026, the assessment team presented preliminary scoring results and delivered several strategic recommendations. These recommendations included continuous improvement of the quality management system, modernization and maintenance of laboratory facilities and infrastructure, and periodically strengthening of staff competencies.

With the completion of the external LMT assessment, the DIC Jayapura is expected to further strengthen its role as a frontline institution in animal health protection while supporting national programs aimed at preventing dangerous animal disease outbreaks in Eastern part of Indonesia.

Written by Ratna Loventa S

Photo Tim Humas BVet Jayapura