Mobile veterinary clinics rolled out in Thoothukudi, but gaps remain in rural coverage

In a significant initiative, the Animal Husbandry Department launched 245 mobile veterinary clinics across the State in 2024 to ensure that veterinary services reached all parts of the State, particularly far-flung areas. Of them, seven mobile veterinary clinics have been allotted for Thoothukudi district.

The clinics are equipped with the necessary equipment, a mini laboratory, and the medicines required for treatment. Each of the seven vehicles has been assigned to travel to two villages every day, operating from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, these mobile clinics will also have a veterinarian and, assistant veterinarian apart from the driver. The veterinarians of these clinics are appointed through Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI).

However, some livestock rearers have found this service effective, many from the rural parts of the district claimed that they are still awaiting to benefit from the service provided by these mobile clinics.

Rajesh, a farmer from Chettiyapathu in Tiruchendur taluk said that his village has never received these kinds of services. “I am from Madhavankurichi, where my house and land were acquired for the ISRO’s rocket launching pad project. It has been a month since I moved to the land allotted by the government in Chettiyapathu. However in both Madhavankurichi and Chettiyapathu I have never witnessed this service,” he added.

He further noted, “In Madhanvankurichi almost 40 families engaged in cattle rearing, still the service was not implemented there.” Mr. Rajesh further highlighted that the villagers are dependent on the veterinary hospital in Meignanapuram for the treatment.

While the services provided by these mobile clinics including, vaccination, artificial insemination, wound dressing and minor surgeries have reached many parts of the district, a significant number of people from remote areas are still awaiting for its services, where many are not even aware of these services.

As per the statistics released by Animal Husbandry Department of Tamil Nadu for the year 2022-2023, the livestock and poultry population in Thoothukudi district has decreased from 9,59,029 in 2007 to 1,10,147 in 2012 with a decrease of 88.51%. The population in 2012 has further increased to 1,17,605 in the 2019 census with an increase of 6.77%.

The gradual increase has created a growing need for accessible and efficient veterinary services at their door-step. Highlighting this census, A. Vardharajan from Karisal Farmers’ Association said that the number of cattle rearers have significantly increased the past few years, due to their market value.

“Earlier people from a particular community engaged in cattle rearing, but currently every household is involved in the cattle rearing, owing to the additional income earned by those livestock,” he noted.

PuliRaja, another farmer from Mettilpatti echoed the similar concern, “No such mobile clinics have come to our village and only camps were conducted.”He added that those facilities should also be served to remote villages like his, which will benefit significant number of livestock rearers from the region.

Speaking on this, S. Sanjeeviraj, Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, Thoothukudi said that these mobile clinics are currently covering remote villages in the district, with its sole aim. He added some villages might have missed during the visit, possibly due to their closer proximity of the village to the veterinary hospital or sub centres and assured that actions will be taken to cover these villages as well.

“If any villages have been left out, they will be covered in coming days once the matter is brought to our notice,” mentioned Mr. Sanjeeviraj.