Human, Animal Health No Longer Separate Concerns, Inductees Told

A former Vice President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Dr Bala Mohammed, has told newly inducted veterinary doctors of the University of Ilorin that the health of humans, animals, and the environment can no longer be treated as separate issues. He therefore stressed the need for stronger collaboration across medical, veterinary, and environmental […]

A former Vice President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Dr Bala Mohammed, has told newly inducted veterinary doctors of the University of Ilorin that the health of humans, animals, and the environment can no longer be treated as separate issues.

He therefore stressed the need for stronger collaboration across medical, veterinary, and environmental sciences to tackle global health challenges.

Speaking at the seventh induction and oath-taking ceremony of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the university, Dr Mohammed said the complexity of today’s diseases demands a united front across disciplines.

He noted that solutions to health challenges can no longer be designed in isolation but through cooperation among experts in veterinary medicine, human medicine, environmental sciences, and public policy.

“The health of humans, animals, and the environment are intricately linked, forming the foundation of the One Health approach, a global strategy that requires collaboration across disciplines to achieve optimal health outcomes for all,” he said.

The veterinary surgeon lamented that despite the growing importance of animal and environmental health in disease prevention, veterinary services remain underfunded, under-recognized, and under-integrated into national health frameworks.

According to him, this neglect has created gaps such as weak laboratory systems, poor surveillance, and governance silos that allow diseases to spread unnoticed until they become major public health crises.

“Many countries, including ours, face surveillance blind spots, weak laboratory capacity, and governance barriers. These gaps allow diseases to simmer unnoticed until they explode into public crises with devastating health and economic consequences,” he warned.

Dr Mohammed called for stronger investment in veterinary infrastructure and laboratories, as well as greater collaboration among doctors, veterinarians, ecologists, and policymakers.

He said such efforts would strengthen education, funding, and data systems that empower communities to adopt preventive health strategies.

“Veterinarians must be recognized not only as responders but as guardians of planetary health,” he added.

Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Saliu Ameen, said the induction marked the formal licensing of 35 new doctors as veterinary professionals.

He described the ceremony as a significant milestone that signals the transition of the graduands from students to full members of a noble and globally relevant profession.

“This ceremony is not merely a ritual; it is a defining moment. It signifies the transition of our graduands from students of veterinary medicine to full members of a noble and globally relevant profession,” he said.

Highlight of the event, attended by faculty members, parents, and dignitaries from the veterinary and medical communities, was the administration of the professional oath to the new doctors, marking their official entry into the veterinary profession.