KOCHI: Two years ago, when it was rolled out, the multi-specialty veterinary hospital at Brahmapuram was touted as a model institute that could inspire other local bodies to follow suit. The facility was intended to sterilise stray dogs posing a threat to the public. So far, about 3,648 canines went under the knife here - a noteworthy figure considering the fact that fellow local self-governing bodies across the state didn’t even have stats to show what they had done on this front.
However, despite the hype surrounding the project and the commitment shown by the hospital’s doctors and staff, the programme has lost steam, courtesy the laxity of the state government. The latest instance of government apathy is its unwillingness to post permanent doctors after two of the doctors - posted on deputation from the Animal Husbandry Department - were repatriated almost 30 days ago. Though there are three more doctors working here, they are on contract and are short on experience.
“We have requested the secretary (LSG Department) of the government to provide two permanent doctors for the project as it has emerged as a model project,” said Mayor Soumini Jain.“Though we have sent numerous requests to the government, they have not taken it seriously. If an experienced doctor is appointed permanently, it can inspire other local bodies to take it up as a model.”
The Corporation set up the hospital spending I1.2 crore, setting aside an amount of I 40 lakh towards its operating cost. The air-conditioned surgery room started functioning with all facilities, including five operating tables, two doctors, four veterinary surgeons and four assistants. A large kennel to accommodate as many as 50 dogs after the surgical process was set up adjacent to the hospital. “The coordination in the hospital was lost after the two doctors on deputation were called back to the Animal Husbandry Department,” said a source associated with the project. “If the hospital failed to sterilise a minimum number of dogs each day, their numbers cannot be restricted and the project will be another failure.”
As per the preliminary data, there are about 110 stray dogs in each of the 74 wards taking the potential number to over 7,000. The sterilisation of these dogs are slated to be completed within two years. The project was launched during the tenure of former Mayor Tony Chammany after providing training to the doctors and helpers at the Ooty-based Worldwide Veterinary Services-International Training Centre with a well-established protocol for surgeries.
“Several local bodies lagging behind in implementing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) for dogs programme have come forward to set up Animal Birth Control Clinics across the district with the aim of reining in the rising number of stray dogs,” the Mayor said.
“For those local bodies, this can be a model. In order to retain it, the government should provide the services of permanent doctors. Otherwise, the project will reach nowhere.” Besides the district panchayat, municipalities such as Tripunithura, Perumbavoor, North Paravoor, Muvattupuzha and Aluva had come forward drawing inspiration from the Corporation project.
So far, about 3,648 canines went under the knife here - a noteworthy figure considering the fact that fellow LSGs across the state didn’t even have stats to show what they had done on this front