Vet hospital gone to the dogs

However, the premises of the veterinary hospital, gives a different impression to any visitor. While the uncut grass has grown upto 4 feet high, water taps are just for namesake and fountains are covered with weeds. The building too is in a pathetic condition.

Manpower shortage

“Shortage of manpower is the main problem for us,” says Veterinary department Mangalore Taluk head Assistant Director Dr K Ashok Kumar. “In Mangalore taluk, out of 149 posts, only 64 posts are filled and 85 posts are still lying vacant. Similarly, in Dakshina Kannada district, only 178 posts are filled against the total number of 420 posts.

As many as 242 posts are still lying vacant.

“We are facing acute shortage of ‘D’ group workers,” he said and added that there are only 50 workers against the 164 posts in the district. “We still need 114 ‘D’ group workers in the district.” Among doctors, there are only 24 doctors and 22 posts are yet to be filled.

Out of 41 inspectors post, only 25 are filled. Explaining the seriousness of the problem, he said that, there is a dire need to fill D group workers, doctors and inspectors to give proper service to the public.

No funds

Dr Ashok Kumar said that the government gives enough money for new schemes, but not for maintenance.  “There are 104 institutions in 5 taluks (Bantwal, Belthangadi, Mangalore, Puttur and Sulya) and all are facing the same problem,” Ashok said.

Many projects

Stating that the Central government had released Rs 300 lakhs for the vaccination against Foot and Mouth disease, he said that the vaccination has to be conducted throughout the district once in six months.

“The government has also released Rs 325 lakh to the State for National Primary disease reporting system,” he said.

Giving information on the Veterinary hospital, he said that it has Animal Disease Diagnose Laboratory (ADDL) and Information Centre (IC) and both Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts come under Indian Animal Health (IAH) and Veterinary Biological.

 It conducts tests on animal diseases and conducts vaccination camps.
Deputy Director speaks
Dakshina Kannada district Veterinary and Animal Health Service Department Deputy Director Dr K V Halagappa said that, as many as 20 members from the district are getting training for the posts of Animal health inspectors in Hassan.
“Though their services will be available soon, we still face acute shortage of staff,” said Dr Hagalappa.

6 years to fill existing vacancies

In the State, the department needs 900 veterinary doctors.

 “We have only four Veterinary Science colleges (BVSc) in the State and they produce just 200 doctors every year out of which about 150 doctors join the department.” If the situation continues like this, we need 6 years to fill up the existing vacancy, says Dr Ashok Kumar.