Veterinary health care services in Kerala are set to receive a heavy dose of technology and infrastructure support. The Department of Animal Husbandry is preparing to establish a multi-specialty veterinary clinic and research centre in Thiruvananthapuram as a pilot project.
The facility, estimated to cost Rs.5 crore, will come up on the campus of the District Livestock Farm, Kudappanakkunnu. It will be equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities, round-the-clock emergency assistance, inpatient and critical care units, and ambulatory clinical service.
“The District Veterinary Centre, which functions as a referral unit, lacks facilities for specialised care and treatment. The multi-speciality centre has been conceived to address this shortcoming,” says L. Ravikumar, District Animal Husbandry Officer.
The centre will have an outpatient clinic with departments for surgery, clinical medicine, preventive medicine and gynaecology. The Department of Surgery and Imageology will have digital X-ray, ultrasound scanning, CT scan, endoscopy, physiotherapy, dentistry, ophthalmology, and laparoscopy services.
The Preventive Medicine division will feature an inoculation unit and facility for screening of zoonotic and other diseases.
The Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynaecology division is to be equipped with modern pregnancy diagnostic procedures, infertility clinic and artificial insemination service. The critical care unit will designed to provide emergency and intensive care for small animals.
Specialised labs in microbiology, biochemistry and pathology including serum estimation, culture and sensitivity tests, mineral and hormonal assays and autopsy facilities are another major feature of the project. A scientific waste disposal mechanism has also been proposed.
Dr. Ravikumar said the referral centre would also take up research on disease diagnosis, control and treatment. The proposed building will have a visitors’ lounge, registration counter, out patient department, library, laboratories, inpatient and isolation wards, autopsy room, retiring rooms with toilets and training facilities for veterinary doctors and paravets.
A Hospital Development Committee chaired by the Additional Director, Animal Husbandry, is proposed to be set up. The project report also recommends revised service charges for revenue generation.
Stone-laying tomorrow
Dr. Ravikumar said the institution would conform to international standards. The project will utilise the funds awarded by the 13 Finance Commission.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the new facility on Monday evening. Minister for Animal Husbandry K.P. Mohanan will preside over the function.
