Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Translation Google
DR Congo
17-09-2012
Bas-Congo: veterinarians neglected, livestock decimated
Important component of food security, the role of veterinarians is unknown in Bas-Congo, south-west of Kinshasa. Without means, poorly paid, they can not fight against livestock diseases. Producers and consumers will suffer.
"A vet is someone who cares for and cleans dogs" (sic!). Thus the mean Bibiane, a student at the Higher Institute of Commerce Matadi, 365 km from Kinshasa. Yet more than a "dog trainer" corrects Dr. Leon Nlonda, veterinarian at Matadi, "he assures the treatment of pets, livestock or wildlife, prevents diseases directly or indirectly to humans by animals, control of foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products certified in accordance with law ".
Despite this important role, the veterinarian shrift in Bas-Congo. At Matadi, for example, the district veterinary clinic movie-palace works in an old colonial building. Few agents use antiquated furniture, type their letters on old machines type. This clinic is nicknamed "Kimvula" by the staff of the Provincial Inspectorate for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, in reference to the territory abandoned Bas-Congo. "We never received operating costs. Working conditions are very harsh," complains Dr. L. Nlonda.
Breeding abandoned
The situation is worse in other jurisdictions Bas-Congo. A Songololo, 80 km from Matadi, the vet's office smells of excrement of bats and lack of everything. "With such conditions, how can the vet he set an example to young people?" Asks Dr. Gustave Kuzungula, Office Provincial Animal Production and Health. Their precarious life reinforces ignorance of their work. "Doctors humans are known because they are seen to move vehicles offered by many programs that support but also because authorities attach great importance to human health," laments Dr Nlonda.
Lack of operating costs, equipment and means of transport, the veterinary service can not find solutions to the problems of food security. The PPR raging in Bas-Congo since 2007 is an example. Herds have been decimated pushing people to abandon farming was yet their main source of income. Many breeders of chickens and pigs in the province have finally put the key under the door. To find answers to the problems of animal protein, people fall back on imported products.
Besides the issue of food safety, veterinary struggling to stem the cycle of zoonoses (animal diseases that are transmitted to humans, Editor's note), like the rage that plagued the province for nearly four years and has already killed thirty people. The vaccination campaign to this effect reached a small part of the province.
Vicious circle
To poor working conditions, coupled with the insufficient number of veterinarians. It has only 25 public and private alike, for a province wide of 58,000 km ². "It is too little, because the needs are enormous," said Dr. Kuzungula.
Not easy, however, to encourage young vocations. In early January, the National Department of Agriculture launched the hiring veterinarians to "strengthen the service and prepare the next generation." To date, no applications have been registered. Because, in addition to their precarious working conditions, veterinarians are poorly paid. An office manager key a little less than $ 60 per month. Young people who complete the humanities are attracted to other areas: human medicine, science, business, nursing ...
Confirms that Maurice Nkayilu, prefect of the Agricultural and Veterinary Technical Institute (ITAV) Mpozo of Matadi, which says it has registered only one student in the back third vet class in September. At the same time, six graduates of his school State have resolved to change the university sector. To attract young people, "it takes a reorganization of the business by the state, a good salary, equipment, veterinary products and means of locomotion, recommends Dr. Kuzungula. Because elsewhere the veterinarian earn more even as much as human doctor. "
Alphonse Nekwa Makwala
http://www.syfia-grands-lacs.info/index.php?view=articles&action=voir&idArticle=2639
DR Congo
17-09-2012
Bas-Congo: veterinarians neglected, livestock decimated
Important component of food security, the role of veterinarians is unknown in Bas-Congo, south-west of Kinshasa. Without means, poorly paid, they can not fight against livestock diseases. Producers and consumers will suffer.
"A vet is someone who cares for and cleans dogs" (sic!). Thus the mean Bibiane, a student at the Higher Institute of Commerce Matadi, 365 km from Kinshasa. Yet more than a "dog trainer" corrects Dr. Leon Nlonda, veterinarian at Matadi, "he assures the treatment of pets, livestock or wildlife, prevents diseases directly or indirectly to humans by animals, control of foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products certified in accordance with law ".
Despite this important role, the veterinarian shrift in Bas-Congo. At Matadi, for example, the district veterinary clinic movie-palace works in an old colonial building. Few agents use antiquated furniture, type their letters on old machines type. This clinic is nicknamed "Kimvula" by the staff of the Provincial Inspectorate for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, in reference to the territory abandoned Bas-Congo. "We never received operating costs. Working conditions are very harsh," complains Dr. L. Nlonda.
Breeding abandoned
The situation is worse in other jurisdictions Bas-Congo. A Songololo, 80 km from Matadi, the vet's office smells of excrement of bats and lack of everything. "With such conditions, how can the vet he set an example to young people?" Asks Dr. Gustave Kuzungula, Office Provincial Animal Production and Health. Their precarious life reinforces ignorance of their work. "Doctors humans are known because they are seen to move vehicles offered by many programs that support but also because authorities attach great importance to human health," laments Dr Nlonda.
Lack of operating costs, equipment and means of transport, the veterinary service can not find solutions to the problems of food security. The PPR raging in Bas-Congo since 2007 is an example. Herds have been decimated pushing people to abandon farming was yet their main source of income. Many breeders of chickens and pigs in the province have finally put the key under the door. To find answers to the problems of animal protein, people fall back on imported products.
Besides the issue of food safety, veterinary struggling to stem the cycle of zoonoses (animal diseases that are transmitted to humans, Editor's note), like the rage that plagued the province for nearly four years and has already killed thirty people. The vaccination campaign to this effect reached a small part of the province.
Vicious circle
To poor working conditions, coupled with the insufficient number of veterinarians. It has only 25 public and private alike, for a province wide of 58,000 km ². "It is too little, because the needs are enormous," said Dr. Kuzungula.
Not easy, however, to encourage young vocations. In early January, the National Department of Agriculture launched the hiring veterinarians to "strengthen the service and prepare the next generation." To date, no applications have been registered. Because, in addition to their precarious working conditions, veterinarians are poorly paid. An office manager key a little less than $ 60 per month. Young people who complete the humanities are attracted to other areas: human medicine, science, business, nursing ...
Confirms that Maurice Nkayilu, prefect of the Agricultural and Veterinary Technical Institute (ITAV) Mpozo of Matadi, which says it has registered only one student in the back third vet class in September. At the same time, six graduates of his school State have resolved to change the university sector. To attract young people, "it takes a reorganization of the business by the state, a good salary, equipment, veterinary products and means of locomotion, recommends Dr. Kuzungula. Because elsewhere the veterinarian earn more even as much as human doctor. "
Alphonse Nekwa Makwala
http://www.syfia-grands-lacs.info/index.php?view=articles&action=voir&idArticle=2639