GOVTERNMENT ANIMAL dispensaries without veterinary doctors

Ferozepur, March 12, 2013: On the 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 aggrieved of the basic amenities.  We may talk about doctors in the general hospitals or in animal dispensaries, everybody is lacking the facilities.

In Punjab , the news about the shortage of doctors the civil hospitals has become common news and in Ferozepur itself, there is no child specialist and gynecologist for the last two years.  But now the shortage of veterinary doctors has also come to light and this state of affairs is for the 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.  Not only are this, in the absence of Pharmacists, the animals treated by the Class IV employees in the dispensaries and for the last 20 years, the dispensaries under the administrative control of Zila Parishads are running in the same conditions.  There are about 34 dispensaries but 11 of them are posted with Rural Veterinary Officers. However, the Pharmacists are available on all the posts but about 20 dispensaries are without doctors.  There is proper rationalisation in posting of such staff as most of the RVOs are posted in Block Ghall Khurd.

In such circumstances, the animal sustainers are facing great problems because in the rural area, most of people are keeping mammals but they have to take the animals to the private doctors in the cities in the event of any problem.  The Zila Parishad has failed to provide the veterinary doctors.  In Punjab, there is only one Punjab Agriculture University at 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, Rural Development no arrangements have been made so far and except reminding there is no other option.

The Punjab was bagged number one position in milk production across the country and to strengthen the milk production, Punjab Government has also sanctioned the 183 posts of Rural Veterinary Officers, in step to strengthen rural health services and promotion of animal husbandry but it is still to get a final nod.