More than 20 veterinary professionals from across Kunar province, crowded into a small room in a training center located next to the government-run nursery in Asadabad, the provincial capital.

The gathering, organized by the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team in cooperation with the provincial Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, marked the first continuing education for veterinarians in Kunar province in decades.

Me and my able assistant, MSgt Sheasley, went to Asadabad - to a training center in the town's nursery - to provide continuing education to a large percentage of the vets in the province. They did knot-tying, a refresher on animal parasites, slaughtered a sheep and necropsied the animal... then had lunch!   We also had a local TV reporter and the Kunar Agriculture Minister drop in and a good time was had by all!

The training session was so significant that the Kunar Province Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Haji Mohasal Khan, made a surprise visit. He also brought with him a reporter from Kunar Radio Television of Afghanistan, the only television station in Kunar province.

However, training was not the event's sole purpose. U.S Army Master Sgt. Darla Sheasley, the ADT's veterinary technician, explained the other benefit of getting so many provincial veterinarians into the same room.

- Basically it's to bring them together and teach them to go out and teach their people and bring them closer together with their farmers.

The training, conducted by Sheasley, U.S Army Maj. Loren Adams, the ADT's veterinary officer (myself), and Dr. Mohammed Ghalib, the Kunar province veterinary officer, covered a wide range of topics. We reviewed basic animal handling procedures, infectious diseases and animal nutrition. I also performed a necropsy on a recently slaughtered sheep.

- This is just a refresher course," Sheasley said. "They've already gone to a four-year veterinary school.

Nevertheless, the training was immensely popular with the veterinarians who attended.   According to Ghalib, he looks forward to working with the ADT to provide more continuing education sessions to the veterinarians of Kunar province.

- I was very pleased with this successful program and the training, and my doctors were also very happy with this program, Ghalib said.

- We are wanting some more courses for the doctors' information, especially ones introducing new treatments and new technology.

I pointed out continuing veterinary education is sustainable by the provincial government. Moreover, it serves as a model for interaction between veterinarians and their potential customers.

This is a simple program that has very little cost, and it's an approach Dr. Ghalib will be able to carry on with now that he's seen it for himself. It also helps improve the professionalism of the provincial veterinarians and improves their status with ordinary Afghan livestock producers.   

  Everyone of the ADT worked very hard to help the people of Afghanistan during our deployment, and everyone richly deserved the recognition they received when being awarded their decorations by the Iowa Adjutant General.

  Officials in the ministry of finance of Afghanistan have said around 328.5 million AFS ($5.7 million) have been stolen from the bank accounts of the ministry.

A spokesman for the finance ministry of Afghanistan, Abdul Qadir Jilani said two finance ministry employees have been arrested in this regard and have been introduced to attorney general office for further investigation.

Mr. Jilani further added that the finance ministry is suspicious that the two employees were involved behind the robbery.

According to reports, the around 61 million of the stolen cash were withdrawn using 38 forged cheques by an employee of the finance ministry.

This comes as a female employee of a private bank – Azizi Bank transferred USD 1.1mn to relative’s bank account outside Afghanistan and managed to flee the country.

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) released an online wanted post of Shokofa Salehi, however there are still nor reports regarding her whereabouts.

The alleged theft by the Azizi Bank and ministry of finance employees highlights the deep corruption in Afghanistan’s banking sector and government institutions, which already saw one leading institution unravel after revelations of massive fraud.