GUJAR KHAN: The building of the civil veterinary centre of Kandowal Union Council is in ruins, and the field staff is forced to run a makeshift veterinary hospital in another building.

The residents of Kandowal Union Council said the dilapidated building of the veterinary centre was abandoned by the staff.

According to them, the whole compound and rooms had overgrown wild plants, and roof structures had caved in.

The cracks in the walls forced the staffers to close this facility.Under this sordid spectacle, the staff was forced to abandon the building and seek another makeshift arrangement.

Muhammad Yasin, a farmer, pointed out that cattle farming was the main source of income for the majority of the population in this region.

He said the lands were barren due to the salinity of the Salt Range, and in the backdrop of widespread barrenness, the residents of the area were dependent on farming goats, sheep, and other cattle as their source of livelihood.

He further said in the absence of a proper government hospital, proper treatment of their animals was an issue.

Mohammad Khalid, another farmer, said that viral and seasonal infections of cattle gives a great blow to their cattle in the absence of proper health facilities.

On the other hand, the residents of Haranpur, Dariala Jalip, and Golpur union councils also raised similar issues regarding dilapidated buildings of veterinary health centers at their union council hubs.

Dr Zafar Abbas, deputy director of the livestock department at Pind Dadan Khan tehsil, when contacted, said that in each union council, a civil veterinary centre is established that is run by a veterinary assistant. He said that this official was responsible for providing door-step immunization through vaccination to the animals according to the approved schedule.

When asked to comment on the condition of the building, the officer admitted that the building of the veterinary center at Kandowal was in dangerous condition, and has been closed since 2014.

However, he said that the buildings of Haranpur, Dariala Jalip, and Golpur centres needed maintenance and repair to keep them in working condition. The deputy director said that in the absence of a proper building , temporary arrangements were made at the union council chairman offices at Kandowal to annex the veterinary health centre there until the reconstruction of the new building at this site.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2024