News Desk
Lahore, Pakistan:
Pakistan, home to over 221 million people, is grappling with a significant challenge in improving its animal health systems. With agriculture contributing a quarter of the country’s GDP and the livestock sector accounting for 14%, the health of animals is intricately tied to the nation’s economy and public health.
The livestock sector supports approximately eight million rural families, providing 35-40% of their household income. Additionally, working equids, such as horses and donkeys, sustain the livelihoods of 36 million people across the country. Despite this reliance on livestock, access to professional veterinary care, especially in rural areas, remains limited.
Dr. Javed Gondal, CEO of Brooke Pakistan, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “Animal health systems in Pakistan are crucial to both the economy and public health, yet they remain underfunded and fragmented. We must address gaps in service delivery and improve access to veterinary care, especially for rural and marginalized communities.”
Key Challenges:
Pakistan faces several pressing challenges in its animal health systems:
- Disease Burden: Endemic diseases such as mastitis, foot-and-mouth disease, and haemorrhagic septicaemia persist alongside zoonotic threats like brucellosis, rabies, and leishmaniasis.
- Urban-Rural Divide: Veterinary services are largely concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural animal owners to rely on traditional treatments or self-administered medications. This increases the risk of infectious disease spread and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- Workforce Shortages: With one veterinarian for every 100,000 animals, the demand for veterinary care far exceeds supply.
- Low Vaccination Rates: Fewer than 25% of animals are vaccinated against critical diseases such as rabies and foot-and-mouth disease.
Syed Naeem Abbas, Advocacy Manager of Brooke Pakistan, emphasized the need for targeted interventions, noting, “Pakistan’s animal health workforce faces critical challenges, including inadequate training and incentives to work in rural areas. Strengthening the veterinary workforce and improving access to animal health services for marginalized communities is imperative.”
Proposed Solutions:
Efforts are underway to address these gaps, including the deployment of community-based animal health workers (CAHWs) who provide essential services such as vaccinations and treatments in rural areas. Locally selected, these workers are instrumental in bridging the gap between urban-centric veterinary services and rural needs.
Additionally, initiatives like training women as veterinary para-veterinary practitioners (VPPs) in Punjab and Sindh are empowering female animal owners to access care more easily.
Dr. Gondal highlighted the importance of continued efforts: “Our work at Brooke Pakistan supports these communities through practical interventions. However, government commitment and action are paramount. Animal health requires the attention and resources it deserves, given its link to both animal welfare and public health.”
The way forward requires increased investment, policy reform, and collaboration between human and animal health sectors. Stakeholders, including the government, non-profits, and the private sector, must prioritize animal health to combat disease and support rural livelihoods.
“With the right investment, training, and infrastructure, Pakistan can develop a robust animal health system that not only saves lives but also strengthens the agricultural backbone of the country,” said Syed Naeem Abbas.
