The country’s drastic shortage of veterinarians is to be taken up by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who will be meeting agriculture officials and others in the sector to discuss the issue that he said affects the well-being of South Africa’s food security.
SA is haemorrhaging vets, who are leaving in droves, and the gap in the sector is becoming critical, particularly in rural regions.
Steenhuisen said the shortage has far-reaching implications affecting animal health, biosecurity and food security, while acknowledging that veterinarians don’t have enough resources, medicines and remuneration.
The department, he added, was making “a firm commitment to ensuring the working conditions of animal health practitioners are improved”, reports the Mail & Guardian.
South Africa is well below the international norm in the ratio of veterinarians per population, with Paul van der Merwe, president of the SA Veterinary Association, saying that while the global standard is for 200 to 400 vets per million people, South Africa has only 60 vets per million: just 4 000 of them on the register.
A 2022 survey from the association showed that most of the vets leaving the country were under 25. Reasons for the exodus include safety, economic concerns, career growth, the working environment and the regulation of veterinary services.
Steenhuisen said he was aware of the gravity of the situation.
“Vets are a cornerstone of our agricultural success, and without addressing the systemic issues they face, we risk jeopardising not only their well-being but the nation’s food security,” he said.
Mail & Guardian article – Steenhuisen to discuss vet shortages with officials (Open access)
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