By Robyn Joubert
Rural communities across South Africa are set to benefit from improved access to animal healthcare, as more para-veterinary professionals establish their own practices.
Since the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) introduced new regulations two years ago, 65 new para-veterinary facilities have been registered. This brings essential services of veterinary physiotherapists, animal health technicians (AHTs), veterinary nurses and veterinary technologists closer to farmers and pet owners.
“We are encouraged to see our para-veterinary community embracing the opportunity to work for their own gain. Many are at the coalface of animal healthcare and are instrumental in keeping livestock healthy on farms, while referring serious cases to vets. This promotes food safety and security, fills a need in our communities, creates employment and fosters a symbiotic and collaborative veterinary and para-veterinary ecosystem,” said SAVC President Dr Nandipha Ndudane.
The para-vets are also benefiting from training presented by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Sindile Makuleni, a self-employed AHT who runs his own primary animal healthcare facility in Mthatha, recently underwent FAO training in the Eastern Cape to enhance his skills in animal disease management, communication skills, entrepreneurship, vaccination strategies and biosecurity measures.
“By acquiring these skills, AHTs can provide better services to farmers, improve animal productivity and contribute to food security. I plan to participate in the next phase of FAO training to learn more about emerging animal diseases and strategies for improving animal health in the face of climate change,” said Sindile.
Any professional wanting to open a veterinary or para-veterinary facility must have a physical base from which to operate and safely store records, medicines and products.
Once a facility has been inspected to ensure that it complies with SAVC basic minimum standards, the owner may register an additional mobile offering. Mobile services are potentially a game changer in rural areas, as it can greatly reduce costs, making services more accessible, said Dr Tanya Grantham, who inspects facilities on behalf of the SAVC.
Zanele Sandra Gwala, who owns a primary healthcare facility near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, offers a mobile vaccination service and sells animal medication.
Undertaking extension work – educating the community about the types of vaccinations needed for their pets and livestock – was key to gaining community trust.
“This has helped people to trust us and we have managed to make a profit for the year,” said Zanele.
