Malaysia still short of vets, says DVS director-general
Based on Veterinary Council of Malaysia registrations, there are 2,553 active veterinarians in the country, she added.
'Rapid development in the livestock industry, the increase of veterinary clinics for pets, and research (among other factors) have caused the demand for veterinary services to surge.
'As such, the country still needs more experts in the field,' she said during the department's World Veterinary Day celebration here on Monday (June 23).
ALSO READ: Vets in demand
Dr Akma added that as the country aspires to a developed nation status, both quantity and quality in the field must be improved.
She later accompanied Agriculture and Food Security Ministry deputy secretary-general (development) Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd to present the Excellent Veterinary Award for Veterinary Education to pro-chancellor of IMU University Prof Emeritus Datin Paduka Setia Datuk Dr Aini Ideris.
Former DVS director-general Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin received a Veterinary Services appreciation award.
Badrul Hisham said that when it comes to the veterinary field, the focus is not just on animal health but public health as a consequence as well.
ALSO READ: Veterinarians safeguard animals, people, and the planet
'The profession is not an easy field, and any person involved in it needs an interest in and passion for animals. Not everyone can make veterinary medicine a career,' he said in his speech at the awards.
He added that veterinarians also have a big responsibility in ensuring that the food supply is sufficient, clean and safe for human consumption.
In the food supply chain, veterinarians are frontliners in ensuring that the farm-to-table process is constantly monitored, he added.
ALSO READ: A vet's wish for World Vet Day
Badrul Hisham said the ministry, through DVS, is committed to ensuring public health via the control of zoonotic diseases and the production of clean and safe animal-based food, as well as protecting the domestic livestock industry from disease.
The first World Veterinary Day was held on April 29, 2000, to highlight the important role of veterinarians in improving animal and human welfare, food safety and animal transport and quarantine practices.
It is usually held on the last Saturday in April, but the ministry brought the date to June 23 this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
3 days ago
- Barnama
DVS Drives Product Innovation To Meet Field Challenges
GENERAL By Thivyamalini Ramalu PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) continues to make strides by introducing various innovative products to ensure the country's veterinary services remain relevant and responsive to increasingly complex field challenges. DVS Veterinary Research Division director Dr Rohana Abu Bakar said that in-house innovations developed based on actual needs continue to serve as a crucial foundation for reforming the national veterinary sector while fostering a culture of innovation within the department. 'The innovations produced by DVS personnel are solutions to problems they have encountered before. They conducted studies and several tests before turning them into actual products or innovations. 'They assessed what could be done and improved the problems through innovation. The responsibility of improving service effectiveness stands out when field officers — from the lower ranks to the top — work together to solve issues through product innovation,' she said. She was speaking to Bernama after attending the Closing Ceremony of DVS Innovation Day 2025, officiated by Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), Deputy Secretary-General (Development) Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd. Asked about which DVS innovation has been a game changer, Rohana cited the development of a livestock vaccine pouch bag last year as a key breakthrough for storing vaccines at a stable temperature in open farm areas such as oil palm plantations. 'This is to ensure vaccines are not damaged by heat exposure, thereby improving the effectiveness of animal vaccination. It was developed by DVS Pahang and is now also being produced for other states. Orders have been received from several other states, and the innovation has been registered as intellectual property,' she explained. She also expressed admiration for the growing number of participants, which has increased from just 15 years ago to 30 entries this year — reflecting a rising culture of innovation and a strong sense of camaraderie among DVS staff and players in the veterinary industry.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
Penang culls over 800 pigs over African Swine Fever, assures public no human risk
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — A total of 822 pigs from two farms in Penang have been culled due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) as of July 17. According to the local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye, a total 13 samples from farms in North Seberang Perai, four from South Seberang Perai and one from the Southwest district on the island were found to be positive for ASF. 'To date, three farms are confirmed to be positive for ASF, while the rest are still under further investigation,' he said when contacted today. He said so far the 822 pigs culled have been disposed and the pigs were from two of the three farms that were confirmed to have positive cases. 'The Penang Veterinary Services Department (DVS) is actively conducting investigations and further sampling at the relevant farms,' he said. He said the number of farms with positive ASF results are expected to increase once the lab results are out. He said the DVS is also identifying suitable disposal sites to carry out safe disposal of the carcasses in compliance with environmental guidelines. He stressed that ASF is a zoonotic disease which cannot infect humans so it does not pose a threat to human health and does not affect food safety. Earlier, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said currently the culled pigs have been buried within the compounds of the respective farms. 'The DVS and district office are looking for other suitable sites in case there is a need,' he said. He added that all pig farms are being inspected and the DVS is carrying out tests to identify positive cases.
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Over 12,000 animal abuse complaints reported to DVS since 2021
BACHOK: The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has received a total of 12,417 complaints involving animal abuse, neglect and welfare issues since 2021. DVS director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said that of the total, 249 cases were recorded in 2021, 1,249 in 2022, 1,580 in 2023 and 4,133 in 2024, while 2,533 cases have been reported so far this year as of July 10. "To date, 1,407 licences have been issued for activities involving live animals, including 542 licences for the sale of live animals in captivity and 865 for their accommodation," she said. Dr Akma said that failure to comply with animal welfare requirements, whether as owners or licensees, could result in a fine of not less than RM15,000 and not more than RM75,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. She said this to reporters after attending the National Animal Welfare Day 2025 celebration and the Horse Identification Card Registration programme here today. Dr Akma said animal welfare covered not only ruminants but also pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. "In addition to providing adequate food and water, animal welfare is also assessed based on five main pillars, namely proper nutrition, a comfortable environment, good health, natural behaviour, and emotional well-being," she said. Commenting on this year's National Animal Welfare Day theme, "Pemilik Prihatin, Haiwan Terjaga", Dr Akma said it aimed to raise awareness on the importance of pet owners being responsible in protecting the welfare of their animals. "I believe that if owners are dedicated and committed, their pets will be treated like part of the family," she said. Meanwhile, Kelantan DVS director Dr Yahasmida Yaacob said the programme focused on efforts to ensure that all horses in the state were legally registered and issued with Horse Identification Cards. According to her, microchips served as a unique identification mark for each horse, while the identification card contained the legal owner's details and the animal's health records, including vaccinations and treatments, to ensure effective husbandry. She said the programme also aimed to instil a sense of responsibility among owners to mark their animals with proper identification for their animals through identification cards and microchips. At today's programme, nearly 100 horses were equipped with microchips and issued identification cards. Other activities held during the programme included the Smart Horse competition, briefings on animal welfare and horse identification cards, horse riding, colouring competitions, as well as exhibition and sales booths.
