New sworn-in veterinary doctors urged to modernize livestock sector

By Michel Nkurunziza.

The new veterinary doctors who graduated on November 18 joined the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors and were urged to boost the livestock sector including the small livestock sector which the government is promoting to address food insecurity and malnutrition.

According to Dr.Marie Claire Tumusabe, Deputy-Chairperson of the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors, 54 veterinary doctors graduated from the University of Rwanda , College of Veterinary Medicine on November 18.

According to Dr.Tumusabe, these new vets should fill the gap in modernizing the livestock sector

“The number of veterinary doctors is still not enough. The Council has 400 veterinary doctors but, in general, together with vet-technicians, and animal production technicians, we have close to 4,000 members in the Council. We need specialization so that we get those specialized in  small livestock veterinary services because there has been so much focus on cattle.”

She said that as more farmers are embracing pig farming and other small livestock, more veterinary doctors are needed to help to modernize the pig industry.

“If a farmer has 200 pigs, they really need a professional veterinary doctor to help them.

Nsanzimana Rwibutso, a veterinary doctor, who joined the council said: “We are looking to create jobs as the pig industry keeps developing with modern breeds.”

Godberte Nizeyemariya, another graduate who  joined the veterinary Council reiterated that veterinary doctors should leverage the increase in pig farming.

“I have to assess the gaps and tap into opportunities,” she said.

Jean Claude Shirimpumu, a pig farmer and chairperson of the Rwanda Pig Farmers’ Association welcomed the new VET Doctors saying that  that the pig farmers’ association needs more veterinary doctors to boost artificial insemination as breeds of boars have been increased.

“We have to increase swine semen from these improved breeds which pig farmers need. All the nine boars we imported this month [November] will be providing semen to pig farmers and veterinary doctors have to take lead,” he said.

About Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors

Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors was established by Law NO 56/2013 of 09/08/2013 (Official Gazette no 42 of 21/10/2013).

Every Veterinary Doctor is allowed to practice on the territory of the Republic of Rwanda only when he/she is registered with the Rwanda Veterinary Council.

The general mission of the Council shall be to ensure that its members provide quality and reliable services as far as the veterinary profession is concerned.