Naveen flags off 181 mobile veterinary unit vehicles

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday flagged off 181 Mobile Veterinary Unit Vehicles in a programme organised at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

These vehicles will be used to provide health services to cattle and other livestock under Mukhyamntri Bhramyaman Pranichikitsa Seva.

In a video message, the Chief Minister said the Mobile Veterinary Units will provide services at the doorstep of the livestock keepers and farmers in the villages located at distant places from veterinary institutions.

“The government is making continuous efforts to make the lives of livestock farmers more comfortable and multiply their income. The animal resources development sector has been identified as next level of growth for farmers, Women Self Help Groups and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Mobile veterinary units were functioning through hired vehicles. Now the government has spent around Rs 30 crore in the first phase and provided the vehicles for use in 181 mobile veterinary units in all districts.

The mobile veterinary units will provide veterinary healthcare and animal husbandry services to the farmers through basic animal healthcare, complex surgery, vaccination and diagnostic services besides organising awareness camps for the farmers.

These mobile veterinary units will also provide emergency healthcare to stray and abandoned animals through Animal Helpline. The location of the vehicles will be tracked using the Global Positioning System.

Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Ranendra Pratap Swain said the mobile veterinary units will take development of animal resources in the state to a new height.

Among others, Principal Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development; Director, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and Secretary (5T) VK Pandian were present.