Government launches modern animal hospitals to boost farm animal care services

The Federal Government has finalized and handed over newly constructed Veterinary Primary Health Centres in Lagos and Ogun states, marking a significant step towards enhancing livestock healthcare delivery nationwide.

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These centres, situated in Epe, Lagos, and Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, are integral to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development's ambitious plan to establish 774 Veterinary Primary Health Centres across the country's local government areas.

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The handover ceremony in Epe featured a keynote address by Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, who was represented by Dr. Alao Mitchell, Director of Animal Health and Reproductive Services, emphasizing the initiative's goal of providing accessible veterinary services to livestock farmers.

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This endeavour aims to bolster disease prevention, surveillance, and control, while also augmenting livestock productivity and reinforcing food security in the country, according to Dr. Alao Mitchell.

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In a conversation with Vanguard, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, revealed that the programme is being implemented in phases across 20 states, with seven model veterinary hospitals already completed in states including Sokoto, Niger, Enugu, Ondo, Borno, Adamawa, and Edo.

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An additional 14 centres are currently under construction, Okokon disclosed, highlighting the government's collaboration with state governments and private sector operators under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement to ensure the centres' sustainability and efficient management.

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The facilities are expected to offer affordable animal healthcare services to livestock farmers and other value chain operators, particularly smallholder producers who often lack access to veterinary support, Okokon explained.

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The initiative is anticipated to serve over 450,000 livestock value chain clusters within its first two years of operation, according to Okokon.