GoI:Phuentsholing now has a new veterinary hospital. Funded by the Government of India (GoI), the four-storied City Veterinary Hospital will provide clinical services with provisions for surgery, consultations, examinations, and dispensing of veterinary medicines.
With a satellite laboratory, the new hospital will also provide diagnostic services to in-house patients in Chukha and Samtse. Disease surveillance facility has also been established.
The Indian ambassador to Bhutan Gautam Bambawale inaugurated the Nu 18.87 million worth hospital yesterday. Agriculture minister Yeshey Dorji and officials from the department of livestock were also present.
Ambassador Bambawale said GoI was happy to assist the people of Phuentsholing and all Bhutanese in building the new hospital.
“This is a referral centre and a seed of learning,” he said adding that the centre would be a leading organisation that would look over the dog population in the town and across the country.
“Satellite laboratory would be a watchdog for diseases surveillance,” he said.
As the unit functions under the combined mandates of the old veterinary hospital and laboratory, it now functions as referral centre for advance veterinary practices and serve to the demand of pet and livestock owners seeking specialised veterinary clinical services.
Livestock officials said the unit would also act as the first line of defense in confronting and combating livestock diseases outbreaks.
At the inauguration, lyonpo Yeshey Dorji said the veterinary hospital had sterilised and vaccinated 1,700 dogs and cats.
“Over 900 were from Jaigaon,” lyonpo said, elaborating there was a cross-border collaboration. “It needs to be further strengthened to benefit both the sides.”
By Rajesh Rai, Phuentsholing