The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) has bolstered efforts to help prevent livestock disease outbreaks, which can be detrimental to food security and the economy, by introducing new rules for para-veterinary professionals.
Since the council introduced the new rules, 65 new para-veterinary facilities have been registered.
Para-vets, including nurses, animal health technicians and physiotherapists, play a vital role in maintaining animal health and preventing disease outbreaks.
Last year the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were severely affected by outbreaks of foot and mouth disease among livestock.
Now communities — especially in underserved rural areas — are benefiting from the gradual mushrooming of these new facilities.
Animal nutritionist and researcher Elna de Lange recently referenced how foot and mouth disease affected livestock, the economy, trade relations and farmers' livelihoods on agricultural news website FarmSpace.
She said small-scale rural farmers, in particular, are vulnerable to the economic effects of foot and mouth disease. “Many rely on livestock farming for their livelihoods, and foot and mouth disease-related losses can have severe social and economic consequences for these communities.”
Dr Nandipha Ndudane, head of the SAVC, said many para-vets are at the coalface of animal healthcare and are instrumental in keeping livestock healthy on farms, while referring serious cases to vets.
“This promotes food safety and security, fills a need in our communities, creates employment and fosters a symbiotic and collaborative veterinary and para-veterinary ecosystem.
“We hope that more para-vets will heed the call to create new, independent income streams for themselves.”
Dr Tanya Grantham, who inspects facilities on behalf of the SAVC, said allowing para-vets to open their own facilities is a positive step in terms of their self-development and self-actualisation.
“Every facility that complies with the minimum standards of practice, and every professional who works within their profession’s scope of practice and maintains their professional development, will benefit the South African population.
“Veterinarians and para-vets play an enormous role in contributing to the ‘One Health’ approach, locally and globally,” she said.
Grantham said the option to offer mobile services is potentially a game changer for para-vets who are concerned about the expenses associated with running a business.
“In our current economic climate, financial constraints create a very real barrier to entry a mobile practice can greatly reduce costs.”
Sindile Makuleni, an animal health technician, is running his own primary animal healthcare facility in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. He has upskilled himself by attending a United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization training programme, which focused on disease treatment and prevention.
Animal health technicians (AHTs) play a vital role in maintaining animal health, vaccination strategies, biosecurity measures and preventing disease outbreaks.
“By acquiring these skills, AHTs can provide better services to farmers, improve animal productivity and contribute to food security.”
Another AHT, Zanele Gwala, has been running a primary healthcare facility in Durban for just over a year.
Gwala sells animal medication permitted by legislation.
In addition to her physical facility, she also offers a mobile vaccination service.
Gwala said opening her own business was challenging at first, mainly because many people confuse AHTs with vets “and we have to explain to them about our profession and what we do”.
She believes educating communities about the types of vaccinations needed for their pets and livestock has proved a game changer.
“This has helped people to trust us and we have managed to make a profit for the year, which, though it’s not much, is something to start with.”
Sister Corlandi Harmse, a veterinary nurse who recently opened her own facility 30km outside Brits in the North West, focuses on vaccinations, microchipping, wound care, anal gland expressions and nail clipping.
“I refer all my patients that need other consultations and medicines to the veterinary clinics in Brits, and communicate with nearby veterinarians for emergencies,” she said.
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