Antimicrobial Use and Biosecurity in Broiler Production of Pakistan: Quantification, Evaluation, and Evidence for Farm-Level Stewardship
- Promovendus/a
- Qamer, Mahmood
- Faculteit
- Faculteit Diergeneeskunde
- Vakgroep
- Vakgroep Interne Geneeskunde, Voortplanting en Populatiegeneeskunde
- Curriculum
- Qamer Mahmood is a veterinarian from Pakistan. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, in 2018, and completed a Master's degree in Epidemiology and Public Health at the same institution in 2020, during which he also served as a Research Associate from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, he commenced his PhD in the Veterinary Epidemiology Unit at Ghent University, Belgium, where his research focused on quantification of antimicrobial use and biosecurity assessment in conventional broiler production in Pakistan. Alongside his PhD project, he has contributed to the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUPAHW) project, reviewing the state of knowledge on biosecurity in food animal production systems across the EU and developing evidence-based recommendations. He has also been part of the COST Action BETTER (Biosecurity Enhanced Through Training, Evaluation and Raising Awareness), coordinating multinational surveys across 22 European countries to evaluate legislation and governance on biosecurity in intensive poultry production. He is (co-)author of more than ten publications in peer-reviewed journals, and his research has been presented at several international conferences.
- Academische graad
- Doctor in de diergeneeskundige wetenschappen
- Taal proefschrift
- Nederlands
- Promotor(en)
- Prof. dr. Jeroen Dewulf, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University - Prof. dr. Ilias Chantziaras, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University
Korte beschrijving
This thesis addresses a critical gap in farm-level monitoring of antimicrobial use (AMU) and biosecurity implementation in Pakistan’s broiler production sector. Conventional broiler systems in Pakistan rely heavily on antimicrobials, including those of major importance to human medicine, yet no standardized national system exists for AMU quantification or for benchmarking biosecurity practices. To support future surveillance and stewardship efforts, this thesis applied multiple metrics to quantify AMU and used Biocheck.UGent tool to evaluate biosecurity at farm level, using field data collected from 100 conventional broiler farms across the province of Punjab. The thesis is structured across six chapters. Following a general introduction, the scientific aims and research questions are outlined, after which three peer-reviewed published studies form the core scientific contribution. The thesis concludes with a general discussion synthesizing the findings and outlining future directions.
Praktisch
- Datum
- Woensdag 15 april 2026, 16:30
- Locatie
- Auditorium D, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke
A reception will take place in the Faculty Restaurant from 18:30 onwards following the defence. If you would like to attend, please register before 1 April 2026 via this form or by emailing qamer.mahmood@ugent.be.