Shortage of vets troubles dairy farmers in Kothagudem district

Shortage of veterinary doctors and poor infrastructure at animal hospitals in Kothagudem district are causing hardship to dairy farmers and pet owners. Many centres lack staff and medicines, forcing farmers to seek private treatment for their cattle.

Kothagudem: Shortage of veterinary doctors and the poor condition of veterinary hospitals in the district have been troubling dairy farmers as well as people who have pets at home.

According to officials, there are 80 veterinary hospitals in the district. Of them, six are Area Veterinary Hospitals led by assistant directors (AD) of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department, 30 are Primary Veterinary Centres led by veterinary assistant surgeons, 44 are sub-centres (V&AH) led by para-vets, and five are mobile veterinary clinics, one for each constituency.

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It is said that nearly 40 hospitals, mainly the sub-centres, are in a dilapidated condition and leak water during rains. As a result, the staff face difficulties working at the sub-centres, while cattle owners are forced to request veterinary assistants to treat cattle at their houses.

AD-level hospitals at Burgampahad and Yellandu are in a dilapidated condition, while doctors are not available at Bhadrachalam and Paloncha, where compounders treat livestock. Similarly, veterinary facilities at Yerragunta, Kommugudem, Annapureddypalle and Sangem are in a totally dilapidated condition.

Dairy farmers and pet owners complain that apart from staff shortage, veterinary facilities also lack required medicines. As a result, they are forced to buy medicines from private shops. At many places, mobile clinics are functioning. A dairy farmer, Islavath Balu of Sampath Nagar in Tekulapalli mandal, told Telangana Today that the local sub-centre lacks medicines and farmers are forced to purchase medicines from private shops. The same complaint was made by farmer K Srinivas Rao of Annapureddypalle.

District Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Officer Dr M Venkateshwarlu stated that there is staff shortage at many veterinary facilities as there are no assistant directors at Paloncha and Bhadrachalam. Steps are being taken to address the issue, he added.