Staff shortage hits vet department in Dharwad

Dharwad: Shortage of staff, particularly doctors, has hampered the functioning of the veterinary department in Dharwad district. The department which is facing a shortage of doctors by 40 % has been unable to provide suitable treatment to animals and this has resulted in an increase in the number of cattle succumbing to various diseases.
There are 76 sanctioned doctor posts in the department and as of now 29 are lying vacant.These include three chief veterinary doctors, five senior veterinary doctors, and 21 doctors.
The doctors are burdened with the task of taking up vaccination campaign, attending meetings called by elected representatives, conducting the panchanama in the case of the death of an animal and submitting report and confirmation of the insurance claim among others, but the shortage of doctors has increased the workload on the existing doctors.
There are instances of primary veterinary health centres being managed by a single person. The doctors have to go to the farmers to treat the suffering cattle and they have to lock the centre before going out. Till they return, others who have brought their cattle for treatment will have to wait.
Kundagol taluk leads the list of shortage of doctors with nine out of 12 sanctioned posts remaining vacant. This taluk has 50,000 cattle and 18,000 chicken population. However, deputy director of veterinary services department Dr Ravi Saligoudar said, there was no shortage of veterinary inspectors and staff. Besides, sufficient stock of medicine was also available.
Pashu Sanjeevini
‘Pashu Sanjeevini’, a mobile veterinary clinic service launched by the state government, has been implemented in all taluks in the district. This mobile clinic will have a doctor, an inspector, and a driver. The team will immediately attend to emergency calls requiring treatment of cattle. There are eight such teams working in the district, he said.
“Our Pashu Sanjeevini teams will reach the spot within 30 minutes and give treatment in emergency situation if farmers call on the helpline ‘1952’. These teams are capable of providing all types of treatment, except artificial insemination,” Dr Saligoudar said.
Basavaraj Hiremath, a farmer of Yadawad in Dharwad taluk, said the government should take steps to fill all the vacant posts in the department and ensure that the animals are provided timely and proper treatment.