The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Rivers State Chapter, has urged the Rivers State Government to increase investment in veterinary services through the recruitment of more veterinary doctors, improved disease surveillance and the upgrade of animal health facilities to safeguard public health.

The appeal was made on Monday during a courtesy visit by the association’s newly elected executive committee to the Ministry of Agriculture in Port Harcourt, where the team pledged continued collaboration with the ministry in advancing animal health, food safety and livestock development.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the NVMA, Dr. Gloria Daminabo, commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for approving the employment of four veterinary doctors and three laboratory personnel, as well as establishing and operationalising the Rivers State Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Centre.

She described the initiatives as major achievements that have earned national recognition within the veterinary profession, noting that they reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening animal healthcare in the state.

Despite the progress, Daminabo stressed that more investment was needed to address growing public health concerns linked to animal diseases.

She pointed to the recent rabies outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory and a suspected rabies case in Rivers State as clear indications of the need for stronger collaboration between government and veterinary professionals.

According to her, the association is ready to provide technical support in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, vaccination programmes, laboratory diagnostics, research, food safety, policy development and public enlightenment.

She appealed to the state government to recruit additional veterinary doctors into the civil service, with the long-term objective of deploying at least two government veterinarians to each of the state’s 23 local government areas to strengthen disease monitoring, emergency response and veterinary service delivery.

The association also called for the full equipping of the Rivers State Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, especially its diagnostic laboratory, explaining that improved diagnostic capacity would enhance livestock productivity, reduce the indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs and help combat antimicrobial resistance.

It further advocated the rehabilitation and modernisation of abattoirs and slaughter facilities across the state, emphasising that safe meat production remains essential to public health and food safety.

Daminabo reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting government initiatives, recalling its involvement in vaccination campaigns, livestock development advocacy and awareness programmes marking events such as World Food Day and World Rabies Day.

As part of the visit, the association presented a plaque of appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture in recognition of its support for the veterinary profession and its contributions to agricultural development in Rivers State.

Receiving the delegation, the most senior director overseeing the ministry, Mrs. Tomma Oruye, congratulated the newly elected executive committee and assured members of the ministry’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the association.

She reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving animal health, public health and food security, while encouraging the association to continue its advocacy and professional support for the development of the state’s veterinary sector.