Karnataka's 1962 Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU).
Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru: Karnataka's 1962 emergency veterinary services helpline has treated five lakh animals in 19 months.
These include 3.3 lakh cattle, 86,000 sheep, 50,000 goats, 29,000 buffaloes, 1,000 pigs, and 4,000 other animals.
Launched on August 5, 2023, the helpline is a joint initiative of the state and union governments in collaboration with Eduspark International, a Mumbai-based private organisation.
The helpline has also received support from the Karnataka Animal Husbandry Department. Through a toll-free emergency number, Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs), popularly known as 1962, provide free doorstep veterinary care.
The 1962 emergency veterinary service operates a fleet of 275 MVUs equipped with diagnostic tools, medicines, and other essential supplies. While the ambulances function from 9 am to 5 pm, the call centre remains operational 24/7.
"This is a great example of how a well-designed system can make a significant difference," said Naushad Ali Khan, Project Head of 1962 EVS in Karnataka.