SLVA CELEBRATES WORLD VETERINARY DAY: Hands that care for all beings

Pics by Waruna Wanniarchchi

The Sri Lanka Veterinary Association celebrated World Veterinary Day 2021 on April 24 at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. The day was declared to be celebrated on the last Saturday, every year, by the World Veterinary Association in the year 2001.

World Veterinary Day aims in commemorating the value of veterinarians across the globe and appreciating their commitment to society, which involves ensuring the health and wellbeing of both animals and humans while improving environmental safety. This day promotes the veterinary profession and the development of more sustainable animal husbandry practices. 

Veterinarians are medical professionals who protect and contribute to the improvement of both human and animal health. They possess a great number of skills that assist them to adapt to the constantly changing environment which has been quite an important role over the past 12 months when the world was hit by an unprecedented global challenge-the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s theme for World Veterinary Day was ‘Veterinarians response to the COVID-19 crisis.’
The Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA) recognised the crucial role played by veterinarian scientists during the pandemic; stepping in to help conduct research and providing creative innovations while also engaging in the One Health collaborative approach that has the objective of achieving ideal health outcomes within the community of humans, animals and their shared environment.

The One Health concept was successfully elaborated by conducting public awareness programmes and management of PCR testing laboratories in various districts concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was also dedicated to launching a variety of programmes that aimed to connect the veterinary community with the farming community and the general public.

The SLVA commenced the celebration of World Veterinary Day with the arrival of the chief guest, State Minister of Livestock, Farm Promotion and Dairy and Egg Related Industries D. B. Herath. Also in attendance were Dr K. A. C. H. A. Kothalawala, Director General, Department of Animal Production and Health, Dr Niroshan Gamage, Additional Secretary- Livestock Development, Dr Erandika Gunawardana, President of SLVA, Dr Sugath Pemachandra, Secretary of SLVA, Dr Susantha Mallawarachchi, President-Elect of SLVA and Dr Oswin Perera, Retired Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science, University of Peradeniya.

“This World Veterinary Day aims to promote the veterinary profession and the work on improvement of animal and human health and environmental wellness. The Sri Lanka Veterinary Association has planned to launch various programmes which will benefit the general public in this country,” Dr Erandika Gunawardana, President of SLVA, explained.

The ‘Vet Mobile App,’ developed in collaboration with Dialog- Digital Health, was launched at the event with the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Chief Operating Officer of Dialog Digital Health and the President of SLVA.

The app allows the public to consult doctors via audio or video calls from the comfort of their homes. It also has special features to receive mobile lab facilities and online prescriptions to get the medicine delivered to your doorstep, thus overcoming the prevailing obstructions that limit access to veterinary services due to the social distancing protocols. The app caters to domestic pet care, farm and exotic animal care, covering almost all the animal-related health care necessities. 

The ‘Your Veterinarian’ Magazine, a signature project of the SLVA, was also launched at this grand event.
The magazine aims to serve as a platform for the promotion of public awareness and appreciation of the veterinary profession. The magazine aims to be the voice of SLVA to ensure animal welfare and health, responsible animal ownership, the wellbeing of farmers and their valuable role of engaging in animal husbandry and the enhancement of the human-animal bond in society. The magazine further introduces interactive activities such as photography, drawing competitions and Q&A sessions for resolving common health issues in animals.

The SLVA also released the video series, “Voice of Veterinarian” to complement the launch of the App, Magazine and the ‘SLVA platform on Public Communication’ which was another project developed to spread the voice of Sri Lankan veterinarians. The video series discussed the diversified roles played by veterinarians in Sri Lanka, consequently highlighting the value of their existence. 

VET EXPO in December

The “VET EXPO 2021 Educational and International Exhibition” was announced to take place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of December at the BMICH Nugasewana Open Area.
The objective of the exhibition is to showcase the various roles played by veterinarians in building a healthy nation. The exhibition will address animal welfare, food hygiene and safety, the significance of the human-animal bond, awareness of rabies, antimicrobial resistance, and the myths and misconceptions related to the veterinary profession. It guarantees to provide a learning and entertainment opportunity to students as well as adults while creating a platform to share knowledge among veterinary undergraduates, practitioners and affiliated health professionals.
The winners of the drawing and photography competitions, who were recognised to be aspiring future veterinarians of Sri Lanka, were awarded certificates before the conclusion of the event.

The “VET EXPO 2021 Educational and International Exhibition” was announced to take place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of December at the BMICH Nugasewana Open Area