PESHAWAR: Livestock farmers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will no longer have to rely on distant veterinary facilities as the provincial government has launched a Rs2.6 billion program to provide healthcare to animals in far-flung areas.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi launched the “Ehsaas-e-Bezaban Sehat Gaari” program on Thursday, terming it a big step for improving livestock health, preventing diseases and protecting the livelihood of families dependent on animals.

The program has 145 mobile veterinary clinics and 27 mobile laboratory testing units, supported by 202 veterinary doctors and assistants.

The mobile clinics will work at tehsil level and offer vaccination, diagnosis, treatment and emergency veterinary services, the livestock department said. The program targets farmers in remote, underserved areas who have difficulty reaching conventional veterinary facilities.

Digital Monitoring to improve services

The provincial government also has plans to link the mobile veterinary network to a central digital dashboard so that officials can better monitor services, operations and performance.

The program will also send out mobile milk-quality testing laboratories. More access to milk quality checks for farmers and consumers These units will conduct on-site testing for adulteration and harmful contaminants.

Prevention and Productivity are the focus

Speaking at the launch, Afridi said the initiative was not only about mobile treatment but a pledge to the welfare of livestock and the communities that depend on them.

“Livestock represents an important source of income, nutrition and financial security for millions of families across the province,” the chief minister said, adding that modern, quality and timely veterinary services were being brought closer to livestock farmers so they would not have to travel long distances for the treatment and care of their animals.

Bringing Animal Health Care Closer

Livestock is still an important source of income, nutrition and financial security for families in K-P. The new program aims to reduce the burden of long-distance travel by bringing veterinary services directly to farmers, while improving access to emergency and preventative care.

The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on the extent to which the mobile network can reach into remote areas and continue to deliver services.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)