…As Gombe L-PRES Engages Private Veterinarians, Expands Direct Services to Over 34,000 Livestock Farmers

…“Initiative Empowers Practitioners to Employ Additional Vets, VPPs, and CAHWs” – Prof. U. B. Abubakar

 

In a strategic move to bridge critical manpower gaps in veterinary services and strengthen livestock productivity across Gombe State, the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, has formally launched the pioneering Private Veterinary Practice Programme.

 

The was revealed during a landmark stakeholders’ engagement convened by Gombe L-PRES, bringing together private veterinary practitioners, technical consultants, and senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives to develop a sustainable framework for expanding quality veterinary healthcare delivery to livestock farmers across the state.

Speaking during the engagement, the State Project Coordinator, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, described the initiative as the first of its kind in Gombe State and a strategic intervention aimed at addressing the shortage of veterinary manpower while expanding access to quality animal healthcare services for livestock farmers.

 

Professor Abubakar disclosed that Gombe L-PRES has already profiled over 34,000 livestock farmers, conducted extensive needs assessments, and organized producers into clusters and registered cooperatives across the state.

He explained that selected private veterinary practitioners would be deployed to provide professional veterinary services to these farmer clusters, complement public veterinary structures, and operate through registered and functional veterinary premises.

To ensure sustainability and accountability, he noted that all programme activities would be closely monitored by the State Veterinary Services Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives.

 

The State Project Coordinator further revealed that participating practitioners would be empowered to expand their operations by employing additional veterinarians, Veterinary Paraprofessionals (VPPs), and Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), thereby creating jobs while strengthening the livestock value chain.

 

Presenting the programme framework, renowned veterinary consultant, Dr. Gani Enahoro, explained that the initiative is designed to foster collaboration, improve service delivery, and ensure smooth implementation.

 

He revealed that the first phase will engage 10 registered private veterinary practitioners with functional premises for an initial two-year period, while additional practitioners will be incorporated in subsequent phases.

 

Dr. Enahoro emphasized that professionalism, integrity, and consistent quality service would be key criteria for success.

Also speaking, Professor Nafarnda Weasley stated that the programme is aimed at improving livestock productivity through stronger synergy between private and public veterinary service providers.

 

He outlined the responsibilities of selected practitioners to include clinical and ambulatory services, herd health management, biosecurity advisory, vaccination programmes, and disease control interventions.

 

Professor Nafarnda stressed that proper documentation, periodic audits, and performance-based incentives would guide implementation, while selected practitioners would receive veterinary equipment, consumables, and technical support.

During the interactive session, private veterinary practitioners sought clarifications on selection criteria, logistics, and sustainability mechanisms, while commending Gombe L-PRES for the initiative and pledging their support.

 

Ealier in his remarks, the Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture,Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Gombe State, represented by Dr. Bilyaminu Yakubu, Deputy Director of Clinics, described the programme as timely, noting that Gombe State currently has only eight veterinarians in public service.

 

He said private sector collaboration is essential to bridging critical manpower gaps and further commended Gombe L-PRES for upgrading veterinary clinics, establishing solar-powered cold chain systems, and developing veterinary diagnostic laboratories.

As part of the engagements, consultants conducted on-site visits to selected private veterinary premises across the state to verify operational capacity ahead of programme rollout