CHIEF DIRECTORATE: CORPORATE SERVICES

DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATION SERVICES

MEDIA RELEASE

Primary Animal Health Care services on wheels

Thursday, 14th November 2013

Mahikeng: The provision of Primary Animal Health Care services in the rural areas of the North West Province has been given a boost through the introduction of six ambulatory veterinary clinics. These clinics were launched today by the MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Desbo Mohono at the Department’s Head Office in Mmabatho.

Addressing farmers who came in numbers to witness the launching of these first of its kind Primary Animal Health Care mobile clinics, MEC Mohono told farmers that some of the services to be provided in these clinics include preventative medicine and curative veterinary medicine, adding that farmers must take advantage of the service being brought to their door step.

These ambulatory vehicles are equipped with basic animal health care facilities that will be used to conduct extension service, and this include built-in flat screen TVs that will be used for demonstrations during school campaigns and farmers’ information days; public address systems that will assist in delivering crucial messages to farmers, as well as refrigerators to store the vaccines.

Mohono said Bojanala Platinum District will get two vehicles which will regularly service the livestock farmers in the Madibeng, Moretele and Moses Kotane Local Municipalities, two will be for Ngaka Modiri Molema District to cover a number of villages in Ramotshere Moiloa, Ratlou and Mahikeng Local Municipalities, and the other two will be taken to Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District to provide services to villages in Greater Taung and Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipalities.

“We did not make an allocation for Dr Kenneth Kaunda District because our assessment is that this District is generally well covered when it comes to accessibility of services which is provided from our State Veterinary offices”, said MEC Mohono.

The six branded mobile clinics where purchased in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with the aim of intensifying the provision of Primary Animal Health Care services at the far-flung rural areas of the Province, and as mentioned by MEC Mohono, an additional number of mobile clinics will be provided through this partnership in the next financial year.

Expressing their excitement about this programme, farmers representing various agricultural organisations in the Province said they are happy that the welfare of the animals will be constantly and reliably taken care of, saying they commend and support the Department on this initiative.

“Caring for our animals is equal to promoting a healthy living for all; I therefore urge farmers to work very closely with the Department in advancing the livestock profile of the North West Province”, said MEC Mohono.

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Issued by the Directorate Communication Services

Contact Person: Bonolo Mohlakoana (Ms)

082 901 2435 / 018 389 5719

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