India urgently needs more vets, says report
A report by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the University of Edinburgh has found that India needs to double its complement of veterinary professionals by 2017 to safeguard public health in the subcontinent and across South-East Asia in general. The present ratio is an average of one veterinary surgeon per 20,000 animals.
The report, entitled Strengthening the Veterinary Profession in India to Improve Food Security, warns that India is at significant risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks. Approximately 80% of India's population live in close contact with domesticated animals and many of India's 280 million cattle are famously allowed to roam freely in public streets. The World Health Organisation (WHO) also participated in the consultation, and has declared that the lack of veterinary epidemiologists in India is “extremely worrying” and “must be rectified” to prevent zoonotic epidemics like the recent outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Avian Influenza.
The report calls for major investment from both the public and private sectors, with particular emphasis on pharmaceutical companies, and it is argued that vets should be provided with both the skills needed by Indian industry (such as food processing and pharmaceutical companies) and the equipment necessary for research. Radical overhaul of veterinary training in India is also advocated, with the Veterinary Council of India coordinating a single national standard of competence and a comprehensive CPD program. Partnerships with farmers, to allow for sharing up-to-date advice on animal husbandry and the dispensation of medicines, are also recommended.
"There are a number of important initiatives already under way, such as ICAR's national animal disease reporting system and the Indian Veterinary Education Project, led by the University of Edinburgh," said CABI's Head of Veterinary Market Development Robert Taylor. "We hope this report will give new energy to national and international partnerships working to support the veterinary profession in India, and in south-east Asia as a whole."
The full report can be read here.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
