The Federal Government has urged veterinarians working in its newly established modern veterinary hospitals to prioritise prompt treatment, accurate diagnosis and quality service delivery to improve animal healthcare and livestock productivity.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, gave the charge while commenting on the recently commissioned Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) veterinary hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Maiha also emphasised the need for proper maintenance of the facilities to ensure they continue to serve livestock farmers effectively.
The Federal Government, through the World Bank-assisted L-PRES, has established 21 modern veterinary hospitals across 21 states.
According to the minister, the Ado-Ekiti facility is equipped with a surgical theatre, diagnostic laboratory, pharmacy, X-ray and ultrasound units, as well as ambulatory services designed to extend veterinary care to rural communities.
He said the hospital would strengthen animal healthcare delivery and contribute to increased livestock productivity.
The National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Sanusi Abubakar, said the hospitals were established to make quality veterinary services more accessible to livestock farmers.
He explained that the facilities would help control livestock diseases, reduce animal deaths and minimise economic losses while improving productivity, particularly among smallholder farmers.
Abubakar called on relevant stakeholders to take responsibility for the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance and long-term sustainability.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had so far commissioned L-PRES model veterinary hospitals in Adamawa, Ondo, Enugu, Sokoto, Edo and Borno states.
The project, he added, was strengthening veterinary infrastructure and improving animal healthcare delivery across the country.
