KUCHING: Addressing the scarcity of veterinarians in the state, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg unveiled an ambitious strategy, setting the target to increase Sarawak’s veterinarian count to 1,000 by 2040, with an interim goal of 200 veterinarians by 2030.
Having expressed his concern over the shortage of manpower and veterinarians in the state, he emphasised the crucial role of veterinarians in the human-animal relationship and veterinary public health, stressing the importance of increasing their numbers in the state.
“We need more veterinary doctors and an increase in manpower in the state to accelerate the growth of the industry.
“We encourage you to open up the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Sarawak.
“Now, Sarawak has less than 100 veterinarians, and we have no choice but to allow Indonesian vet doctors (graduated from universities recognised by the Malaysian Veterinary Council) to work in the private sector. We need 200 by 2030 and 1,000 by 2040,” he said.
He said this in a text of speech read out by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the 22nd Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) and 33rd Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association (MAVMA) Congress 2023 Gala Dinner held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night (Nov 4).
Abang Johari said the veterinary profession holds significant promise for the future.
As such, he called for the establishment of a strong framework of ethics and rules to govern its practice.
“These responsibilities are too great for the veterinary profession to be left to its own devices in our globalised world.
“Let us work together to ensure that the veterinary profession retains its excellence and fulfils all the hopes placed in it, and let us go on protecting it from all the risks that it faces,” he added.
During the event, Uggah presented Anugerah Mengenang Jasa (AMJ) 2023 (award) to four recipients, namely Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Azmi Mod Lila; Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Selangor Turf Club, Datuk Dr Shri Kanth Kanaesalingam; Senior Veterinarian at Bettie Veterinary Clinic & Surgery, Dr Chang Teck Soon; and Director of Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.
Additionally, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at UPM Dr Kok Mun Kong, was presented with the Malaysian College of Veterinary Specialists (MCVS) certification.
