Animal dispensaries sans veterinary doctors in Punjab

15 March, 2013

On one hand, state government is making tall claims of development works in the state, but on the other hand, the factual position is that the people are even denied basic amenities. We may talk about doctors in the general hospitals or in animal dispensaries; we lack facilities everywhere.

In Punjab, the news about the shortage of doctors in the civil hospitals has become common news and in Ferozepur itself, there is no child specialist and gynecologist for last two years. But now the shortage of veterinary doctors has also come to light and this state of affairs exists for last so many years.

The situation is that most of the dispensaries under Zila Parishad in Ferozepur District are running without any doctor and the work is being looked after by the pharmacists. In the absence of pharmacists, the animals are treated by Class IV employees in the dispensaries.

For last 20 years, the dispensaries under the administrative control of Zila Parishads are facing the same conditions. There are about 34 dispensaries. The pharmacists are available in all of them but about 20 dispensaries are without doctors.

In Punjab, there is only one Punjab Agriculture University in Ludhiana which is offering courses for Veterinary Officer having the facility of 100 seats. As per the sources, the five years degree course is joined by most of the students from other states and this is the reason that none of them is willing to come to Ferozepur.

As per the version of the district administration, despite writing to the Director and Rural Development no arrangements have been made so far. Punjab bagged number one position in milk production across the country and to strengthen the milk production, Punjab Government has also sanctioned 183 posts of rural veterinary officers, to strengthen rural health services and promotion of animal husbandry but it is still to get a final nod.