Vets ready to lead rabies eradication once programme moves to Animal Health dept.

Colombo, July 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Government Veterinary Officers' Association announced that veterinary professionals are prepared to take on the challenge of eradicating rabies in Sri Lanka, following the planned transfer of the National Dog Sterilisation and Rabies Vaccination Programme to the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH).

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Association President Dr. Upul Ranjith Kumara said the handover process is in its final stages, and veterinary associations are eager to launch the initiative immediately.

Currently, the National Dog Sterilisation and Rabies Vaccination Programme operates under the Ministry of Health, but due to its slow progress, veterinary associations have been urging the government to place it under the purview of the DAPH.

Dr. Kumara said that eliminating rabies is a national health priority and requires expert intervention. “Only veterinarians have the professional expertise to lead a successful rabies eradication campaign,” he said.

He noted that Sri Lanka has the necessary infrastructure to carry out the task, with 337 government institutions, 600 government veterinary surgeons, around 500 private veterinarians, and at least 30 more affiliated with animal welfare organizations ready to contribute.

“Rabies is a viral disease transmitted exclusively through mammals. If we stop transmission among animals, we can automatically prevent infection in humans,” Dr. Kumara added.

He further urged the current government to correct the shortcomings of previous administrations by officially transferring the programme to the DAPH and allowing professionals to take the lead in making Sri Lanka rabies-free.

Joint efforts are already underway among veterinary associations to implement a national strategy for rabies elimination with the support of both public and private sector veterinarians