Cattle breeders are demanding free veterinary camps

KARACHI:

Livestock farmers are appealing to the government to set up free veterinary camps for rain-affected animals across Sindh. They stress that animals need urgent medical treatment and vaccination against various diseases, while poverty-stricken rural farmers cannot afford the high transport costs to reach distant public veterinary facilities.

Heavy and unusual monsoon rains have recently hit all parts of Sindh, resulting in the spread of animal-threatening diseases across the province. Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA) Senior Vice President Nabi Bux Sathio has called for setting up free veterinary camps in every union council. He noted that the Sindh Animal Husbandry Department has ample funds to provide free medical treatment and vaccination to both sick and healthy animals.

Sathio also urged the government to investigate the millions of rupees given by international donors such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank during the devastating floods of 2010. These funds were meant to support animal care, but Sathio pointed out that the promise Veterinary clinics in union councils across Sindh are yet to function.

Due to the high cost of transportation, many farmers cannot transport their animals to government veterinary facilities. As a result, Sathio stressed the need for the government to ensure that these services are available in villages.

The Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) has been lauded for its efforts to provide medical care to rain-affected animals by setting up free veterinary camps. Prof Dr Allah Bux Kachiwal, Chairman of Sindh Veterinary Medical Board and Department of Physiology and Biochemistry of SAU, warned that once the accumulated rain water recedes, communicable diseases could spread rapidly in rural areas. He pointed to the need to take precautionary measures to protect animals, especially as hundreds of thousands of animals remain in vulnerable conditions.

During and after the monsoon season, communicable diseases can easily infect both small and large animals, including goats, sheep, cows and buffaloes. Among the most dangerous diseases are anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, septicemia and black quarter. These diseases can spread quickly, making early intervention vital.

In response to this growing crisis, SAU, in collaboration with the Sindh Animal Husbandry Department, has set up a veterinary camp to treat rain-hit animals. SAU consultants provide medical care and vaccinations to animals within a 40 km radius of the university, with the Animal Husbandry Department providing free veterinary drugs and injections.