Vets Demand Reinstatement Of Animals Ministry, Call For Food Quality Assessment Labs

LOOKING FORWARD: Dr Kasibule (RIGHT)and his Gen Secretary Dr Obbo at the Inauguration of the new UVA Executive on Friday in Kampala

The newly elected President of the Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA) Dr Daniel Kasibule and his predecessor Dr Syliva Baluka have called on government to recognize the role their members can play in improving the general health of the country.

They called for greater Government concern on the misuse of antibiotics and relatedly, the prevalence of cancer in the country. The veterinarians said the rampant animal diseases ravaging the country that have led to multiple quarantine measures, are an economic and health risk, that should be addressed fully, not piece meal.

A quality assessment laboratory, they said, should also be a priority for government. This they argue, will help assist the Uganda National Bureau of Standards deal with checking the quality of food and animal products on the market.

The new executive swearing in.

The two doctors said as a starting point, the reinstatement of a ministry in charge of Animal Industries and Fisheries, as was before the years of the NRM government, be considered urgently.  This, they argued, will help the country budget to meet the challenges and fund improved salary and staffing levels of veterinarians, especially in Local Government across the country.

The animal sector was downgraded from having a Ministry of Animal Industries, to currently being one of the departments in the  Ministery of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. This greatly reduced on the staff levels needed for monitoring and supervision of activities in their sector.

“I appeal to the government to consider recentralizing the veterinary services to ensure rapid response to diseases ( epidemics) in addition to reinstatement of the ministry of veterinary services and animal industry,” Dr Kasibule said Friday soon after receiving the instruments of his new office.

Kasibule said his executive will work with stakeholders to help improve welfare, especially the salaries and other emoluments extended to veterinarians who currently work in difficult conditions, and with many job related hazards.

“We are a relatively small profession. Our critical and far-reaching roles in animal health, welfare and public health mean that we are uniquely placed to offer the Government evidence-based and informed advice, and policy recommendations,” said the new UVA president.

He added that UVA is also willing to help government sensitize the public towards improved consumption of animal products like milk and eggs. Kasibule said such a consumption effort is needed to fight malnutrition, which statistics show is rampant in the country, especially among children.

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