Advocate.ng Latest news update on politics, entertainment, sport and more
By: Felicia Imohimi
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Deputy Chief Whip of Senate, has tasked the FCT administration and state governments, on adoption of global practices in the veterinary profession, for efficient service delivery.
Abdullahi, (APC, Niger), made the call at an event organised by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), FCT Chapter, on Sunday in Abuja, in commemoration of the World Veterinary Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that World Veterinary Day is celebrated every last Saturday of April, and the theme for 2023 is “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the veterinary profession”.
Abdullahi, who is the Chairman of the Occasion, said ensuring global best standard practices, would address challenges in the veterinary sector, for the general wellbeing of both animals and humans.
He urged the FCT administration to take another look at its land allocation policy, and ensure there was provision for construction of veterinary clinics, to enable to enable the professionals provide effective services.
Abdullahi listed some of the challenges in the profession as lack of accommodation, leadership, followership, membership and quacks, among others.
According to the senator, some young veterinarians set up their clinics in shopping malls and residential apartments, describing such practice as posing health hazards to humans.
“When you have a veterinary clinic in a shopping complex, and if there is an outbreak of disease, it will just spread out there, which is the danger to humans.
“It Is high time we defined a practice standard so that when you see a veterinary clinic you know is a veterinary clinic, we are not happy that young veterinarians have to make do with just anywhere.
“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should look at areas they can provide support, because veterinary service has a lot of issues that have to do with public health,” he said.
Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Lead Speaker and Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), encouraged veterinarians to see those working in the animal health sector as partners for economic prosperity.
“The veterinarians need capacity to reach out to everyone in veterinary services delivery team, to harness their diversity for quality animal health services to our clients and society,,” Sharubutu said..
According to Dr Nurallah Abubakar, Registrar, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), the onus lies on states to ensure sanity in the veterinary sector by formulating effective policies, that will curb illegal and substandard veterinary services.
Abubakar said the council, as a regulatory agency, was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring continuous review of curriculum of the veterinary profession to keep up with best standards.
“VCN, since inception has set standard guidelines for all activities. It is responsible for setting standards, knowledge and skills of veterinarians and para veterinary professionals,” he said.
The registrar tasked veterinary doctors on inclusiveness of para vet professionals such as animal health technologists and technicians, as well as veterinary laboratory technicians and technologists, for effective and efficient service delivery.
According to him, veterinary doctors cannot operate in isolation without the assistance of para vet professionals, as they are important to the survival of the profession.
Dr Ifeanyi Ogbu, Chairman, FCT Chapter of NVMA in his address said the WVD was set aside in recognition of the efforts of veterinarians in preventing animal diseases, and transmission of such diseases to humans.
Dr Bala Mohammed, Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the event, said the day, established by the World Veterinary Association in 2000, was to raise global awareness on the role of veterinarians and animal health generally.
NAN reports that panelists, drawn from the academia, civil service and private sector, spoke on the need for capacity building, respect for each other’s roles in the veterinary space, as well as other sundry issues.
NAN also reports that awards were presented to some distinguished Nigerians, for their contributions to the development of the profession.
(NAN)
Subscribe to the Advocate News letter and receive news updates daily in your inbox.
