Traditional vets get modern

24 July 2009

Bartsham EVPs operating a dog

Trashigang Dzongkhag has improved the skills of ethno veterinary practitioners (EVPs) or traditional veterinarians by equipping them with modern veterinary kits, drugs and knowledge to promote future private veterinary clinics in rural areas.
After a ten-day intensive training on animal management, 48 villagers have been appointed across the dzongkhag to help enhance animal health care delivery in rural areas. “We have only one extension officer in each gewog so it is hard for him or her to cover the entire region, especially places not connected by road,” said Dzongkhag Livestock Officer (DLO) Dr Tshering Dorjee.
With the dzongkhag’s technical backing, EVPs will be of great help to remote villages like Shingkhar in Merak, which is two days walk from Merak proper. However, major surgeries will be handled by the gewog RNR officials only.
Ethno veterinarians are certified to practise their skills by helping villagers free of cost. The practitioners will receive a week-long refresher’s course every year under the guidance of the dzongkhag livestock officials.
EVP from Pam, Phurpa, has been practising his trade for three years. He said he had been of enormous help to the villagers. “I am happy that I can carry out minor surgeries,” he said.
According to Dr Tshering Dorjee, the villagers were EVPs even before they were trained. He, however, said that before they were trained, they used crude methods.
Now the dzongkhag has taught them stitching with the use of local anesthesia and hygienic wound treatment according to the animal rights.
Most of the practitioners are literate. The EVPs have been supplied first aid kit, veterinary
kits, needles, cottons, and drugs for minor treatments, according to the dzongkhag.

By Tempa Wangdi

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