No subsequent action plans were developed to clearly demonstrate time and resource allocation for implementation of such interventions. The only time bound intervention in the document was the Endorsement of the FMD Control Strategy by the OIE under which it was stated that the Department shall submit the FMD control Strategy in 2014 to the OIE. 

Such action plans could specify the specific actions the DVS needed to take to address each of the top departmental issues and to attain each of the associated goals. In addition, the action plans could clearly specify who will complete each action and when. In the absence of such a well-coordinated planning framework, the Department lacked clear guide and commitment to implementation of key strategies regarding FMD control. Developing strategies without subsequent action plans also made it difficult for the department to appropriately monitor implementation of its long term objectives in controlling the FMD as well as to effectively plan and prioritise resource allocation and utilisation particularly at district level. Therefore, OAG found it difficult to evaluate performance of the DVS in implementing the strategic interventions captured in different strategy documents as there were no clear performance yardsticks to measure against. 

Nevertheless, the OAG appreciates the Department’s efforts in developing action plan for routine activities like surveillance (e.g. Surveillance Plan, October 2014- March 2016) and vaccinations (campaign schedules). The OAG also acknowledges the fact that implementation of some of the above mentioned key interventions was underway at the time of audit. The establishment of the Ngamiland Protection Zone and Prioritised Disease Control Infrastructure Maintenance were already being implemented at the time of audit, despite absence of clear action plans for such interventions. 

