The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has urged the Federal Government to set up veterinary desks in emergency management institutions and other relevant agencies.
The chairman, FCT chapter of NVMA, Ifeanyi Ogbu, made the call during the commemoration of World Veterinary Day (WVD) on Tuesday in Abuja and listed the agencies as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Ogbu said having veterinary desks or departments in those agencies would ensure an effective and holistic emergency response to humans and animals.
According to him, whenever there is an emergency, NEMA and others will wade into the situation, but only to rescue humans and save properties without considering the plight of animals.
Citing an example of the recent flood in Kogi State, which washed away more than a 1,000 cows, goats, and dogs, the veterinarian said NEMA put its rescue efforts on just humans and neglected the helpless animals.
“Those human beings rescued depended on the affected animals for survival, so there should be a holistic rescue of everything in every emergency situation,” Ogbu said.
The World Veterinary Day is usually commemorated every last Saturday of April, and the theme for 2023 is; “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the veterinary profession.”