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| Dr Bulus Gamba |
What are your challenges as a Veterinarian?
Our challenges are many, but one of the things which bother veterinarians in Nigeria is the issue of funding. The veterinary sector has so much potential but is lacking in areas of funding and this affects us in no small ways. Government needs to support veterinarians. The sector is one filled with potentials and can generate capital if properly invested in, so I believe the issue of funding for the development of the sector is a sine qua non.
Why should government fund veterinarians?
The truth is most often you find that people who study veterinary services lack the capacity, even when they graduate they cannot setup the proper services for themselves and most often than not just manage to set up small practices , but if they are properly funded with loan facilities I believe there will be a boom in not just the nations agricultural sector but in animal breeding. Besides with
funding, the veterinary sector can provide special animal feeds that will help with the healthy growth of animals rather than importing almost everything. Funds can be generated through the building of animal shelters, provision of animal care and services and even the sales and breeding of animals, so there are potentials in developing the veterinary services.
Would you say government policies favour the veterinary service in Nigeria?
I would say yes, particularly with the present government’s interest being to develop the agricultural sector, there is much hope for the veterinarians, but much attention has to be given to the development of the veterinary sector. I belief there is so much that the sector can contribute to the development of agriculture through animal care. The sector has great potentials.
How have the activities of quacks affected your activities?
The veterinary sector is one challenged by the proliferation of quacks, particularly in the FCT, so much that clients can hardly differentiate between the quacks and the real veterinarians, most often it is when the services of the quacks fail or when there is vaccine failure that you see that clients searching for us. But all legal quacks have VCN numbers, they are duly registered with the government and where a client finds their services lacking, such a client can through due process obtain redress through the Vets VCN, but not so in the case of the Quack, so people must be careful, who care s for their animals.
How then can government aid in curbing the activities of quacks?
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) is responsible for registering veterinarians in the country and I believe if sufficiently funded, besides registering they can go the extra mile to ensure the policing of the sector. If they have sufficient manpower, they can monitor the activities of illegal and quack doctors and even ensure they close down their services. Clients also have a right to know who cares for their animals, you can ask for proof by insisting to see your veterinary doctors VCN no, you can demand for proof of qualification. This will not only curb the services of illegal and quack Veterinary doctors, but will also protect the nation’s animal health care.
How would you rate the Nigerian attitude to animal care?
Very poor indeed, In fact there is the need to develop the consciousness of Nigerians to the care of animals. Besides being loving animals where pets are kept, a dog is a good guard and the only living being that will willingly lay down its life for its masters.
Unfortunately Nigeria as a country is not really given into animal care, just a few states like Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos really care about their animals. This is why we set up the Canine centre in
Masaka, Abuja where we take care of abandon dogs. Very often you find stray dogs and cats that have been abandoned straying; we take them in and feed them, while given them the necessary care to ensure they do not become dangers to the society , because with little or no care given they risks being exposed to rabies and unfortunately only one person in history has been known to survive from the bite of an infected rabies. Often it takes time and it will seem the victim has escaped but most often than not victims of rabies bites often die.
What have been some benefits of the job?
Many, besides the fact that it pays the bills, recently, some Australians have shown interests in partnering with us and I believe Nigerian stands to benefit a lot from that partnership, but the environment must be made right to show case our potentials not only in Nigeria, but outside, like I said Nigeria can become a net exporter of beef and other animal products and we are capable if provided with sufficient support. Also the sector has the potential to generate employment for millions of youth, particularly at a time like this.
What are your reactions to the development of ranches as against the grazing routes in Nigeria?
They are both good, having grazing routes are good but ranches are better for the growth and development of the nation’s cattle. Nigeria can be an exporter of beef to other nations if the sector is sufficiently catered for, but so far we barely produce enough to eat how much more to export, but I believe Nigeria has the potential and the capacity to grow cattle sufficiently to export. But in the light of ensuing challenges, I would insist that ranching is a better option to grazing, so that the animals can be rested and well grown. This will also reduce the risk to herdsmen/farmers clashes.
Would you say Nigerian vegetarians are sufficiently trained to compete with the global veterinary industry?
Believe me there can never be anything like too much knowledge, so no matter how much training we have had in our various academic institutions, I believe the sector can benefit from more and more training. So while I can say we are well trained, I would also insists that there is room for more training and capacity development of the Nigerian Veterinary service and this can only be done through the support of government and good investment in the sector.`
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