Veterinarians have expressed their opposition to the statement made yesterday by the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), which called for amendments to several clauses in the bill concerning the vaccination and registration of dogs.
Commenting on this matter, Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, Convener of the Veterinarians' Alliance for Humane Animal Population Management, stated that he regrets the statement made by the GMOA. He notes that the eradication of rabies involves two aspects: the treatment of animals, which falls within the training of veterinarians, and the treatment of humans, which is the domain of medical doctors.
He further stated that there would be no issue in this regard if medical doctors had received training in treating animals during their medical education or were registered with the Veterinary Council.
Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, Convener of the Veterinary Union, commented further on this matter as follows: "Eliminating rabies involves two components: eradicating the disease in animals and eradicating it in humans. Veterinarians are the ones trained at universities in animal diseases and treatment.
Medical doctors are trained to treat humans and manage human diseases. However, there is currently an anomaly here; it is a team comprising doctors from the Ministry of Health that has stepped forward to conduct these dog-related programs. When we, as doctors, discuss our profession—addressing its shortcomings or struggling for its advancement—we must also respect the professional dignity of others. If medical doctors were taught how to treat animals in medical school and were registered with the Veterinary Council, then there would be no issue.
As veterinarians, we never go to treat children, do we? We didn't go to administer vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic either. That is because we know exactly what our duties are. So, when discussing professional rights…" As an organization, we are truly disappointed that the Medical Officers' Association has made such a statement.
They are suggesting that the supervision of the vaccination process—which is carried out by doctors—be entrusted to MOH doctors; that is a truly ridiculous idea.