By Murtala Ahmad Mustapha
The National Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists, NAAHT in Bauchi State has expressed concern over the shortage of Animal Health Technologists in strategic places like Abattoirs and border markets in the state.
Animal Health Technologists are professionals who assist veterinarians in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of animal diseases.
They also help protect animal health, improve livestock production, and prevent diseases that can spread from animals to humans.
Speaking at a Livestock Stakeholders’ Engagement and Capacity building Forum to commemorate this year’s World Technicians and Technologists week, the State Chairman of the Association, Salisu Buba said the number of Animal Health Technologists in the state has drastically reduced due to massive retirement and death without replacement.
Salisu Buba who said reliable data shows that the state has over five million livestock but face serious challenges and uncertainty in the type of meat people consume called on government to employ more professionals in the sector to address the gaps.
He appealed to the state government to review and implement the Consolidated Health Salary Structure CONHESS for its members across the state as obtained in many states and federal institutions.
On training, the NAAHT Chairman requested the inclusion of its members among beneficiaries of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project L-PRES training, describing them as Frontline extension agents.
The theme of this year celebration is empowering an essential workforce for one health future, building a resilient, productive in livestock sector in Bauchi state.