January 9, 2023

Kerala, India launches mobile veterinary units

Offering 'doorstep services' to livestock farmers, the State Animal Husbandry department in Kerala, India, has launched a fleet of mobile veterinary units (MVU), which will provide their services for a fee.

Union Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Parshottam Rupala and Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan inaugurated 29 MVUs and a centralised call centre last week.

The MVU services is available in 29 block panchayats, State Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchurani, who would preside over the function at Kariavattom, said.

The call centre will be managed by a veterinary doctor and call centre executives. If the problem demands the services of the mobile unit, the call centre will alert the unit.

Each vehicle is staffed by a veterinary doctor, a para-vet and a driver/attendant.

The 29 vehicles constitute the first batch of 156 MVUs planned in 152 block panchayats, selected corporations and one municipality.

Each vehicle would be equipped with surgical sets for large and small animals, autoclave, biomedical waste collection bins, LED flood lights, power generator, cryocan and artificial insemination equipment, and other facilities, Chinchurani said.

- The Hindu