The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has condemned the recent act of the Federal Government which excluded the Veterinary Council of Nigeria from the list of national health regulators, a development practitioners say will have a negative impact on the livestock industry in the country.
Dr. Moses Arokoyo, president of the association, labeled the decision as “ill-advised” and warned that it will have severe consequences on the nation’s health industry which include putting the lives of over 200 million Nigerians at risk.
Veterinary professionals play a crucial role in maintaining the health and productivity of the livestock industry. Without their active involvement in disease prevention and control, farmers may face increased livestock mortality, reduced productivity, and economic losses. This, in turn, will affect the livelihoods of those engaged in animal husbandry and related businesses.
Dr. Arokoyo expressed his concerns over the potential public health risks posed by the exclusion, stating that 75 percent of emerging and re-emerging human diseases are of animal origin. He emphasized that preventive medicine cannot be considered complete or comprehensive without the active involvement of veterinarians in public health initiatives.
“The decision will negate the efforts of the veterinary community in combating the usage of fake drugs in animals, disregarding withdrawal times. This could lead to an increased consumption of meat containing drug residues by the human population, resulting in a surge in cancer cases and antimicrobial resistance, ultimately leading to more deaths,” warned Dr. Arokoyo.
The agricultural and food supply chains could experience disruptions due to the neglect of the NVMA. Veterinary professionals contribute to ensuring the safety of meat and other animal products by monitoring drug residues and preventing the spread of diseases. The exclusion of the NVMA from national health regulators may result in a lack of effective oversight, potentially leading to challenges in maintaining food safety standards. This could affect consumer confidence, disrupt supply chains, and impact businesses involved in the production and distribution of animal products.
Also, veterinary professionals often operate private practices, clinics, or consulting services. The neglect of the NVMA may result in a lack of regulatory support and oversight for these businesses. This absence could lead to challenges in maintaining standards of practice, ensuring the authenticity of veterinary drugs, and implementing disease control measures. As a consequence, veterinary practitioners may face increased difficulties in providing quality services, affecting the economic viability of their practices.
The NVMA plays a role in facilitating professional development and continuing education for veterinary professionals. Neglecting these aspects can hinder the ongoing learning and skill development of practitioners. In a rapidly evolving field, staying updated on the latest advancements are crucial for providing high-quality services. The economic impact here is twofold: practitioners may struggle to adopt new and more efficient practices, and the overall competitiveness of the veterinary sector may decline, affecting the economic sustainability of individual practices.
The association estimated that over 10 million lives could be lost annually to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 2050, underscoring the urgency of a collaborative approach involving both medical professionals and veterinarians. They emphasized that the combined efforts of these two groups are crucial to safeguarding the health and lives of over 200 million Nigerians.
Highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livestock industry, Dr. Arokoyo lamented the industry’s comatose state and the lingering effects on the multi-trillion-naira poultry sector. The poultry industry, which employs an estimated 5 million Nigerians directly and 25 million indirectly, is yet to recover from the cumulative effects of the pandemic, high raw material costs, and outbreaks such as Avian Influenza. The association emphasized that the collaborative efforts of medical professionals and veterinarians provide a more assured approach to overcoming health crises.
