Western Region: Animal Health likely to be compromised – Vet Service
Animal Health in the Western Region is likely to be compromised following the paltry number of personnel in the region.
Analysis by the veterinary service indicates that the region requires 230 personnel to function effectively. However, as at 12th December this year, only 84 personnel are currently working in the region. A meeting by the Veterinary Service Directorate, rated Western Region the least allocation of 19 staff out of over 480 newly employed staff by the veterinary service.
The 84 workers comprise of 5 veterinary officers, 2 veterinary technologists, 25 animal health officers, 50 technical officers and 2 supporting staff.
Felix Doe, the Administrator of the Veterinary Service disclosed this to Skyy News at an awards night for veterinary officers in the Western Region, held in Takoradi. He said the situation is alarming, and the Directorate is engaging stakeholders to deal with the problem.
“It is actually having effect on veterinary practice in this country. For now we have seen a disease called African swine fever, with Western Region as one of the prone arrears; which means it can easily cause a lot of havoc due to inadequate staff in the region to curtail the disease in a short possible time,” he said.
The maiden awards night was organized by the Western Regional Veterinary Service to motivate workers to deliver quality service on animal health in the region. Mr. Doe said the Ministry is aware, and he is quite sure that something will be done before the end of 2020.
Story by: Nana Yaw Kumi/Skyy News/Takoradi
