Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has pledged to urgently address the challenging working conditions faced by veterinarians in South Africa.
This commitment comes at a critical time as the country struggles with a significant shortage of animal health practitioners – a situation that poses serious risks to animal health, biosecurity, and food security.
The country’s veterinarians have long faced numerous challenges, including insufficient resources and medicines, inadequate remuneration, and growing concerns about their mental health. Steenhuisen highlighted the severity of these issues, emphasising the vital role that veterinarians play in protecting and advancing the country’s agricultural sector.
Veterinary crisis impacting food security
“Veterinarians are a cornerstone of South Africa’s agricultural success, and without addressing the systemic issues they face, we risk jeopardising not only their well-being but the nation’s food security,” the minister stated.
He stressed the importance of making South Africa a place where animal health practitioners can thrive and feel valued for their indispensable contributions to the industry.
Currently, the country has approximately 4 000 registered veterinarians, a figure that falls well below the international standard of between 200 and 400 veterinarians per million people. Worryingly, at least 100 veterinarians leave the country each year, seeking better opportunities abroad.
In a bid to find comprehensive solutions to these pressing concerns, Steenhuisen announced that he will convene with the nine provincial agriculture MECs, senior officials from the department of agriculture, the South African Veterinary Association, and key industry experts.
This collaborative effort aims to develop actionable strategies to address the critical challenges facing veterinarians and ensure the sustainability of the nation’s agricultural sector.
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