We don’t have enough vet doctors in Imo – Dr. Uzor

Uzor stated this in an interview with our correspondent in his office in Owerri.  He stressed that animal diseases cannot be overlooked anywhere in the world because most of the diseases of man, especially those called zoonoses, are the diseases that can affect animals and humans. ‘This is of public health significance because it has […]

Uzor stated this in an interview with our correspondent in his office in Owerri.  He stressed that animal diseases cannot be overlooked anywhere in the world because most of the diseases of man, especially those called zoonoses, are the diseases that can affect animals and humans.
‘This is of public health significance because it has to do with the lives of people. The other aspect of it that has to do with treatment of animal disease is agriculture,” he said.
Emmanuel noted that apart from petroleum, agriculture is the major source of income of many countries in the world. “So these animal diseases cannot be overlooked because animals are a major source of economic income.”
He said his staff visit Ahiazu Mbaise, Oru LGA, and even Owerri  to make sure that animals are properly inspected before slaughter for public consumption.
The Meat Edict of 1959 and Decree 10 of  the veterinary ordinances stipulate that meat should be properly inspected before slaughtering for consumption and certified fit. “So in case of a recalcitrant butcher operating otherwise, the meat would be confiscated by the law enforcement agency.”
 The clinic is positioned to handle cases of rabies in dogs. It applies rabies vaccination to not less than 10 dogs a week. The field officers do same in their respective areas.
Dr Uzor lamented that the number of veterinary doctors in the state is too small. “We are just nine in number and we are expecting the state government to employ more so that each local government area will have at least one doctor. Considering the level of development in the country now, each local government should have a veterinary doctor.”
He  advised the public to seek for veterinary services at all times to safeguard their health and that of their animals, adding that vets “are very important members of the society and environment” because they are involved in public health and  ensuring a healthy society. He who disregards animal health will not have regard for human health.