KUCHING: The government has been asked to set up veterinary clinics in different towns across the state.
Dr Kelvin Yii – special assistant to Kota Sentosa assemblyman – said such clinics would give the public affordable and better access to animal health services to ensure diseases such as rabies do not spread.
“Due to budget cuts, government veterinary clinics have since been shut down in the state. There used to be one at Sekama, Kuching which is now converted into a quarantine centre. However, there is none in Serian District,” he said in a statement yesterday on the rabies outbreak in Serian.
“I thus call for a review of the policy and due to the urgency of the matter, I urge immediate funding be set up such a government veterinary clinic in Serian itself to better handle the situation.”
Yii said steps need to be taken to prevent other diseases involving animals from spreading in future, as well as to give cheaper medical treatment for animals to those unable to afford private vet care. He called on local councils to step up efforts to round up stray dogs for any necessary medical attention.
“This disease is preventable and a vaccine is available. I thus encourage members of the public to seek medical help if they get bitten by any dog as well as play their part and alert the authorities if they see stray dogs around,” he said.
“If any of their pets show symptoms of sickness to immediately seek veterinary help. Personal hygiene, including washing hands after playing with dogs, is also important to help control the spread of such diseases.”