Vets given Covid duty in Patiala, animal care hit

PATIALA: For the past week since August 21, services at 64 government veterinary hospitals have been hit as the administration has assigned veterinary officers (VOS) on covid-19 sampling. According to the district animal husbandry department, 32 VOS are on covid-19 duty, and with the department already short of staff, each officer was looking after two hospitals. Due to the non-availability of medical help, two cows have died and 14 cattle are ill, according to veterinary officers.

Dr Ravi Gaba, deputy director of animal husbandry, said, “There are 87 posts of VOS in the district and only 47 of these have been filled. Of these, 32 are now on covid-19 duty, which has resulted in suspension of veterinary services at 64 hospitals.”

Dr Gurcharan Singh, senior veterinary officer and in-charge of Rajpura block, said, “On August 21, 16 cattle fell ill in Ghaggar Sarai village due to nitrate poisoning and delay in treatment.”

He added, “I called my seniors and also a few VOS, who were on covid duty. We failed to save two cows. The health department declared VOS who returned to save the cattle as absent from duty.”

Patiala deputy commissioner Kumar Amit said, “We have assigned them this work, as we have to increase covid testing in Patiala. For now, I’m removing their duties, but we will keep a few of them on these duties.”