Eric Olusesan/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has been called up to ban the sale of dog meat along the streets in Rivers State to curtail the spread infection of rabbies.
This is just as concerns have also been raised by Veterinarians that only two qualified Veterinary Doctors are presently under the employment of the Rivers State Government in the Ministry of Agriculture covering the whole State.
In his remark, Dr Godwin Ukoikpoko, the Director of Veterinary Services in Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture made the appeal during events marking the 2022 World Rabbies Day in Port Harcourt.
He cautioned that the continued sale of dog meat along the streets will increase the rate of rabies in the State since the health status of such dogs cannot be ascertained.
On her part, the National President of the Nigerian Verterinary Medical Association, Dr. Mrs Catherine Olutoyin Adetubure, called on the Federal Ministry of Health to make avaliable anti-Rabbies Vaccines to hospitals and all state health centres to enable Veterinary Doctors have access to them to prevent the spread of rabbies in the state.
She also stated that the theme of this year’s celebration which is; “One Heath, zero death”, is suspiciously chosen and called for synergy between Medical Practitioners and Veterinary doctors to “chase out zonotic disease from the society”.
The former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, a Professor Bariname .B Fakae, in his keynote address, called on the state government to employ more veterinary doctors to address public health challenges in the state.
He stated that the two Veterinary doctors employed by the state government is grossy inadequate to meet public health needs of the people.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Rivers State Chapter, Dr Baloji Ajayi, urged those beaten by dogs to seek medical attention urgently because of the fatality of rabbies infection.
The highlight of the occasion was free viccination of dogs and other animals.
The occasion was organised by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture in Port Harcourt.