The recent changes in South Africa’s para-veterinary landscape are boosting animal healthcare, especially in underserved rural areas. With para-veterinary professionals such as animal health technicians (AHTs), veterinary nurses, veterinary technologists, and veterinary physiotherapists now legally able to open their own practices, it is a much-needed relief to communities.
The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) has seen a notable rise in new para-veterinary facilities, with 65 new practices registered in just two years. According to the SAVC, these professionals are gaining autonomy, allowing them to provide essential services like vaccinations, disease management, and general healthcare to animals.
Sindile Makuleni, a self-employed AHT who runs his own primary animal healthcare facility in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, said the recent training programme presented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the Eastern Cape proved valuable.
Improving animal healthcare
“The training greatly enhanced my skills, particularly in disease treatment and prevention. It also improved my communication skills, enabling me to interact effectively with farmers and other stakeholders.
“I plan to participate in the next phase of FAO training to learn more about emerging animal diseases and strategies for improving animal health in the face of climate change. By acquiring these skills, AHTs can provide better services to farmers, improve animal productivity and contribute to food security,” he said.
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Zanele Gwala has been running a primary healthcare facility in the eThekwini municipality near Durban for just over a year. The company sells animal medication permitted by legislation.
Gwala says opening her own business was challenging at first, mainly because many people confuse AHTs with vets and they have to explain to them about their profession and what it entails. “This has helped people to trust us and we have managed to make a profit for the year, which, although it’s not much, is something to start with.”
Growing vet services
“My advice will be once you start the business, commit to it. Avoid getting into debt as much as possible. Seek advice from others who own their own facilities. Educate yourself more about your profession and never give up,” she said.
Corlandi Harmse, a veterinary nurse who recently opened her own facility 30km outside Brits in North West, focuses on vaccinations, microchipping, wound care, anal gland expressions and nail clipping.
“I refer all my patients that need other consultations and medicines to the veterinary clinics in Brits and communicate with nearby veterinarians for emergencies.
“Once the community got used to having a veterinary nursing facility and became familiar with what we do and the level of service they received, my customers and patients started growing. Now, they keep coming back, so our community is supporting me,” Harmse said.
Jessica Mousley, the co-owner of a multi-species veterinary physiotherapy clinic in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, said being on the same premises as a veterinary hospital allows for lovely collaboration with the veterinarians and veterinary nurses.
“The greater community veterinarians, horse and dog trainers, dentists, farriers and saddle fitters have gradually placed its trust in our veterinary physiotherapy team, having seen the improvement in their patients. The team collaborations that are happening now are very exciting. A united healthcare team can only benefit the patient,” Mousley said.
A game-changer for veterinary community
Meanwhile, Dr Tanya Grantham, who inspects facilities on behalf of the SAVC, said the option to offer mobile services was potentially a game changer for para-vets who were concerned about the expenses associated with running a business.
“Allowing para-vets to open their own facilities is a positive step in terms of their self-development and self-actualisation. Every facility that complies with the minimum standards of practice, and every professional who works within their profession’s scope of practice and maintains their professional development, will benefit the South African population. Veterinarians and para-vets play an enormous role in contributing to the ‘One Health’ approach, locally and globally,” Grantham said.
The president of SAVC, Dr Nandipha Ndudane, said they were encouraged to see the para-veterinary community embracing the opportunity to work for their own gain.
“Many are at the coalface of animal healthcare and are instrumental in keeping livestock healthy on farms while referring serious cases to vets.
“This promotes food safety and security, fills a need in our communities, creates employment and fosters a symbiotic and collaborative veterinary and para-veterinary ecosystem. We hope that more para-vets will heed the call to create new, independent income streams for themselves,” he said.
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