September 13, 2007

Veterinarians in Vietnam want higher pay, more staff to effectively combat diseases

Veterinarians in Vietnam are calling for higher remuneration and more personnel to guarantee efficient disease prevention in the country's livestock and poultry sectors. 

In a meeting held in Hanoi, animal health authorities all shared the same sentiment, stating that veterinary clinics were too often understaffed and underpaid, thus, discouraging employment and affecting performance of veterinarians.

The gathering, organised by the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry's Department of Animal Health, was held to discuss ways to prevent the spread of avian flu and other epidemics, especially with the approaching of cold season that could spur higher disease risk to animals.

The country has several disease outbursts this year such as avian flu, foot and mouth disease, and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome or "blue ear" disease.