By Bawanke David
The Volta and Oti Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr. Patrick Akandi has called on the government to make annual vaccination of animals free of charge to encourage more people to vaccinate their pets and other animals.
According to him, most animal owners do not vaccinate their animals and for that many people don’t report cases of rabies to the hospital which he noted was becoming a challenge to Veterinary Officers.
Dr. Akandi made the call at the 2023 National Rabies Day Celebration which was held in New Ayoma in the Oti Region on the theme: “All for 1, one Health for all”.
Rabies awareness creation in the country is very low despite the fact that there is no cure for this very dangerous ailment (rabies).
To this end, Dr. Akandi has expressed the need for the veterinary officers, Health service providers, and environmental service officers to come together and solve the problem.
He has since advised all veterinary officers to make sure they get dogs and other animals in their area vaccinated and protected against rabies.
The Volta and Oti Regional Veterinary Officer is therefore calling on local authorities to enforce by-laws banning stray animals since some cases of rabies were recorded in the Volta, Ashanti, Northern, and Oti Region this Year.
“Rabies has now been found in pigs, cattle, cut, and donkeys and this is very dangerous,” He added.
Over 100 dogs and other animals were vaccinated to mark the celebration.