Chandigarh/ Lambi, April 17:
Ensuring the best possible healthcare services and well-being of pets and animals in a comfortable settings, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Thursday, inaugurated the state-of-the-art In-Patient Department (IPD) ward at the Government Veterinary Polyclinic in Badal village of Sri Muktsar Sahib district. This marks the start of In-Patient Department (IPD) services for livestock at six Veterinary Polyclinics across the state.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural event, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that all necessary equipments have also been provided to start indoor services at Veterinary Polyclinics in Patiala, Amritsar, Sangrur, Gurdaspur and Ludhiana. These polyclinics will offer a range of services for pets and animals, including acute illness management, surgeries, post-operative care, routine check-ups, diagnoses (lab tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds), and other services.
Highlighting the importance of the new IPD services launched today, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that these polyclinics will greatly benefit livestock owners by providing much-needed care and treatment for their animals. Earlier, the lack of indoor facilities at veterinary polyclinics presented challenges for livestock farmers, particularly after major animal surgeries. The risk of damaged stitch lines, opened stitches, toxaemia, and even animal death was a significant concern. Farmers often lacked suitable means to get their animals treated.
To address these issues, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has established IPD wards in the veterinary polyclinics of six districts in the state, allowing for the admission of animals until their complete recovery. These polyclinics will offer specialised care, including observation wards and rehabilitation programs, he added.
- Gurmeet Singh Khudian also appealed to livestock owners to get their animals immunised against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), informing them that the state government has initiated a statewide inoculation drive against FMD to immunise over 65 lakh livestock. He further said that the Animal Husbandry department has formed over 1600 teams to accomplish the task by the end of May 2025. He also appealed to the public to get their animals inseminated with sex sorted semen so that the best germ plasm would be available in the state to resolve the problem of stray animals.
Dr G S Bedi, Director Animal Husbandry Punjab highlighted the initiatives being taken by the Department under the guidance of Principal Secretary Mr. Rahul Bhandari, which includes anti snake venom treatment facility in 97 tehsils and 22 polyclinics, free deworming drive in the state under ASCAD scheme, Free anti tetanus injection for equine of the state, activation of bovine breeding authority and registration of pet shops and breeders in Punjab. He appealed to the public to get maximum benefits from the scheme launched by the Department for the welfare of animals.
