Since the first known case of COVID-19 in human in China, the origin of corona virus was suspicious and first theory came to the world was regarding its zoonotic origin and from here only the role and response of Veterinarian arises. Concept of its origin from animal food market in Wuhang, China suddenly exposes the threat of possible zoonosis and made Vets globally on alert.
Globally and nationally included in the list of essential services, Veterinarians role was very crucial at the time of crisis as it was new kind of threat and possibly nobody knew how to face it. But Veterinarians confronted this challenge very bravely and enthusiastically. Vets didn’t let the countrymen and country to feel low and in various capacities provided services genuinely and whole heartedly. Vets globally played a very significant and multiple roles while beating the challenges posed by the novel corona virus in urban and rural India.
In one of the major responses of Vets was to protect the animal health in the various phases of lockdown and indeed the Veterinarians provided excellent and quality services to the livestock farmers and animals both at institution and at door step without much of paraphernalia. Vaccination programmes like FMD, HS, Govt schemes and extension services were never stopped during this phase and run smoothly. From Laboratory to field, every Vet contributed immensely and still contributing to fight this Virus and global pandemic.
Milk, meat, poultry and livestock feed industry were in tough situation while in strict lockdown and here only Veterinarians in different capacities be it as field vets or managers or in other roles has ensured from bottom to top hassle free supply and ensure to feed countrymen and to counter hunger created by the lockdowns.
Many Veterinarians contributed and responded smartly and efficiently while at administrative posts or at Government level to establish a liaison for better service delivery of animal husbandry sector.
Animal husbandry sectors have showed a promising growth in the contribution to GDP during this low economic activity phase. Vet Professionals made a positive impact in the society especially in rural sector to lift the livestock activities and made a self-reliant approach practical.
Veterinary scientists when asked for diagnostic services of COVID-19 by RT PCR, straightforwardly accepted the responsibility with both the hands and provided 24×7 services, which reduced the burden from health professionals. It further enables the concept of ONE HEALTH, which WHO and OIE both are promoting. Vets and Medics have worked simultaneously in laboratories and at diagnostic centers.
In capacity of surveillance officers, Vets contributed in management and feeding of stray animals throughout the nation by involving many NGOs and stakeholders. It is no more a hidden fact that Vets have contributed immensely to the nation in the COVID -19 and provided the services equivalent to front line warriors in COVID Care centers in many states.
Government acknowledged that the Vets have the reach to the poorest of the country. In that capacity many of Veterinarians trained people of COVID-19 etiquettes where internet or any social media does not reaches. It further reduced the virus load, helps in breaking of the chain and later saved many lives.
Influx of large migrants to villages in phases of lockdown put a many time pressure on the rural setup to adjust and accommodate them. It was one the major challenge in front of the Government and administrators to feed them and provide with sustainable livelihood. One of the significant and appreciable, role and response of the Veterinarians to this crisis is to set up the micro dairy’s, sheep farming, goat farming, backyard poultry units and mini feed plants to provide livelihood to large urban to rural migrants in COVID -19. In the stressful phase veterinarians gives impetus to the ATAM NIRBHAR PROGRAM of central government by imparting entrepreneurship skills to the rural Indians.
In current scenario, vets have come forward in different roles to combat this threat in public health awareness, environment sustainability, livelihood expansion, nutritional support and to neutralize the poverty globally. Veterinary extension specialists through radio talks, media engagements and e- media motivated the countrymen for taking animal husbandry as profession and source of income via various methodologies. Various webinars were organized by Veterinarians globally to keep pace with neo education during lockdown via continue e- learning.
Later in vaccine development of COVID -19 and its trials among various phases, Vets have reflected a highly professional and skilled vision to come with novel and neo techniques of vaccine development.
In conclusion, it can be said that the Veterinarians have responded in the wonderful way to this global pandemic and tried to reduce the impact of lockdown globally. It’s the efforts of veterinarians which saved many lives and made many smiles of hope in the one of the toughest challenge human race has ever faced.
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