Lo supports setting up of Immune Belt Enforcement Team for disease control
THE amendment of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance to allow the setting up of Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) will help the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak in containing the rabies outbreak in the state.
In stating this, Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) said that IBET has been appointed and authorised in writing by the State Veterinary Authority to enforce and conduct dispensing of veterinary drugs; to conduct vaccination of dogs; to conduct surveillance and monitoring of dogs; and to conduct and perform their task and responsibilities on rabies and other infectious diseases control.
“Deployment of trained IBET officers in assisting Veterinary Department will maximise coverage of rabies detection and surveillance programme along approximately 1,032km of Sarawak/Kalimantan border in a well-organised manner,” said Lo when debating the ordinance in the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
He said the agile deployment of IBET officers in all rabies related operations will help government agencies in combating other infectious diseases also.
The inter agencies collaboration and cooperation will enhance and strengthen enforcement effectiveness, he added.
“On Oct 26 this year, IBET was officially launched by the Premier of Sarawak. This initiative is part of the state government‘s comprehensive strategy to control the spread of rabies disease and to reduce the casualties.
“This amendment to empower UKPS’ officers in the fight against rabies is very timely. I beg to support the Veterinary Public Health Amendment Bill 2022 tabled by the Honourable Member for Kemena.
“This Bill proposed amendments of Section 57(1) of the Public Health Ordinance 1999 [Cap 32] with insertion of clause (c); “(c) – a person who is authorised in writing by the State Veterinary Authority.”
The amendments will give legal authority and empowerment to any person especially Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) officers in performing their tasks and responsibilities of dispensing veterinary drugs.