The Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, (NVMA), has asked for recognition in order to collaborate with other medical personnel in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
The association made the appeal in Benin, on Wednesday, when its leadership paid a courtesy call on the former National President, Dr Clement Alile, ahead of the association’s National Convention slated for Benin from October 25 to 29.
The Acting National President of the association, Dr Ibrahim Ado, who stated this, expressed regrets that as experts in animals and their diseases, the association had not been carried along in the efforts to combat the scourge.
Ado, who also decried the government indifference to the veterinary doctors, noted that with its over 9,000 strength, they were still doing enough to deliver on its mandate.
“Veterinarians are noble professionals that stand out among others, sadly in the country, our roles as veterinarians are not duly recognised by the government.
“However, we are making a conscious effort to let the public know who we are and what we do. We are pushing hard to see things are done the way they should be and our roles are not being neglected.
“If you take a look at that current pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic, we have veterinarians that are experts in COVID as far back as 40 to 50 years. But the people are just knowing of it with this pandemic.
“All the theory of the current pandemic is that it came from an animal and we are the authority in diseases of animals.
“So, we should be brought into the fold so that we all can collaborate and save humanity together,” Ado submitted.
On his part, Alile, who served as the President of NVMA from 1983 to 1985, noted that policy trust of the government among others had not served as any form of encouragement to the veterinarians.
The former Secretary to the Government of Edo, however, said that as a disciplined body, the members must continue to do their best to lift humanity.
“Veterinary doctors are very responsible and discipline people who will rather take these challenges as they come and attend to them,” Allile posited.
Speaking on the incessant strike actions, especially by medical professionals, the septuagenarian urged the government not to always renege on its agreements with unions or associations.
“If the government enters into any agreement, it must keep its own side of the agreement, this is where the problem always arises from,” he advised.
The chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the October convention, Dr Michael Ehizokhale, announced the theme for the 57th annual convention in Edo to be, “The Veterinarian and Global Health Security.”
He said that convention would have as its chairman, Chief David Edibiri, while Governor Godwin Obaseki and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion would serve as Special Guest and Special Guest of Honour respectively
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