The immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, FCT chapter, Ifeanyi Ogbu, has urged the Federal Government to create a separate ministry for animal health and veterinary services.

Mr Ogbu said creation of such a ministry would enable veterinarians to have a more defined role in the nation’s health sector.

The veterinarian made the call in an interview on Saturday in Abuja in commemoration of the 2024 World Veterinary Day.

The theme for this year’s edition is, “Veterinarians are essential health workers.”

The World Veterinary Day is commemorated annually on the last Saturday of April.

Mr Ogbu, also the Director of Finance, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria Alumni Association, further called for the establishment of veterinary medical centres in all Local Government Areas nationwide.

According to him, establishment of these centres will give enough veterinary manpower to the farms, ranches and abattoirs for effective disease surveillance, prevention.

He said it would further curtail over 70 per cent infectious diseases emanating from animals.

He further urged the government to encourage “one health approach” where the medical doctors, veterinary doctors and environmental health officers work as a team purposely for the holistic human health.

“Veterinarians all over the whole world should brace up and reflect on the importance of today in their profession. With all hands on deck, we will collectively put world diseases on check through proper screening, examination, quarantining and certification of consumed animals meat and milk products, ” he said.

The World Veterinary Day was initiated by the World Veterinary Association in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession.

The commemoration is to highlight and promote the lifesaving work performed by veterinarians across the globe.

(NAN)