..advocates policy for compulsory registration, vaccination of dogs

The Ondo State chapter of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association ( NVMA) in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, Ondo has flagged off one month free Rabies Vaccination across the State.

The free rabies vaccination which commenced last Thursday, was the major highpoint of activities marking this year’s celebration of World Rabies Day in Ondo State.

Speaking on the essence of the celebration with the theme: All For One, One Health For All”, Dr Ayodeji Badejo, the State Chairman, NVMA said the event was yet another solemn reminder that the battle against rabies, an old scourge that has been poising great threat to both human and animal, is not yet over.

Dr. Badejo who said beyond acknowledging the challenges being faced, veterinarians must remain committed to the sheer vision of a healthier and safer world for both humans and animals.

According to him, the health of animal, human and the environment is connected, thus the onus lies on the professionals as the beacon of hope to continue to collaborate among selves in order to build a future where rabies is no longer a threat.

Dr. Badejo while also congratulating members of the profession and acknowledging their tireless efforts, thanked the federal and state government for doing its best to secure the lives of the citizenry through the provision of vaccines.

Giving his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Lawrence Esan restated the importance of collaboration among professions and the government, saying every Local Government should ideally have a veterinarian and two technicians on ground to address health challenges .

Dr. Esan while declaring the event open, further admonished government to continue to provide financial resources just as he stressed that World Rabies Day should be a daily affair.

In a lecture titled:”One Health”, Dr. N.A. Omoba who was represented by Dr. Okafor, traced some of the factors that is responsible for increase in zonotic diseases to include risky human behaviour such as acts of having unnatural sex with animals, sharing of meals with animals among others.

In his summation, Dr. Omoba called for multi-sectoral collaboration, restating that human, animal and environmental health are linked together.

In a separate lecture, Dr. Victor Adefeso, who was represented by Dr. Olubunmi Olakunde took time to explore the signs and symptoms of the diseases, types of rabies, and its diagnosis just as he highlighted the need to eliminate rabies in order to strengthen the health system and meet SDGs.

He also spoke about the One Health Approach, stressing that it is far cheaper to vaccinate a dog than vaccinate the victim of its bite.

The event also featured a lecture on the challenges of obsolete laws in effective Rabies Control Strategy by Barr. Rotimi Adeyemi PhD who affirmed that rabies in Nigeria had remained an endemic disease ever since its first case in 1912.

Barr. Adeyemi while also noting that there is no legislation or Act specifically on the control of Dogs and Rabies save for the Animal Dieases Control Act. 1988, however clamoured that Nigerian lawmakers must come up with a law that binds all dog owners/handlers to do compulsory registration and vaccination of their dogs.

In a chat with newsmen, Dr. Ehinmowo Ajibayo Agboola, Director of Veterinary Services, State Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry said this year’s celebration is unique as the State Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment were brought on board in line with the theme to ensure that not just dogs are safe but also humans are as well vaccinated.

While also restating that the goal is to eradicate rabies by 2030, Dr. Ehinmowo said over 2,000 dogs had already been vaccinated so far in the state as men from the ministry now move into communities to carry out vaccination exercise across the state.

The climax of the event was the official flag off of the vaccination exercise for both dogs and human beings, as well as the presentation of award plaques to guest lecturers.

Also in attendance at the event include Dr. Adebayo, Director of Veterinary Services, Ondo State, Dr Abiodun Ogunji, Dr. Tolu Adesida, Mr. Henry Udoh among other stakeholders.

The vaccination of dogs continues across the state at designated centres free of charge for the next one month.