Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has said that public health is inseparably linked to animal health, stressing that "if animals are healthy, people are safe" — and that safe food begins with disease-free cattle, goats, and poultry.
She made the remarks while addressing the certificate-giving ceremony of the "Hands-on Training Programme for Fresh Veterinary Graduates" at the Bangladesh Veterinary Council auditorium. The event was organised by the Bangladesh Veterinary Association (BVA) with support from the Animal Health Companies Association of Bangladesh (AHCAB).
The adviser said that while Bangladesh has roughly nine medical doctors per upazila to serve 180 million people, nearly five crore animals are dependent on just one veterinarian per upazila. She questioned why at least three or four veterinarians could not be appointed to ensure adequate animal healthcare.
Farida Akhtar said the Veterinary Act is nearly finalised and will soon go to the Cabinet for approval, while a Feed Act is also "urgent" to ensure safe animal feed. She noted that skilled veterinarians working abroad could help raise remittance and national prestige, adding, "No animal is a toy; every animal has a right to care."
She also announced that veterinary medicine and animal science will be introduced as a combined degree programme, with any curriculum differences to be resolved through dialogue.
Dr Md Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services; Professor Dr Md Bahanur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Bangladesh Agricultural University; Dr Md Boyzar Rahman, Director (Administration); Sayem-ul-Haq, President of AHCAB; and Dr Md A Mannan Mia, Convener of the BCS Livestock Cadre Association, attended the programme as special guests. Dr Md Tarek Hossain, BVA Member-Secretary, delivered the welcome speech.
Speakers described the training as a timely initiative to enhance practical competence and contribute to the sustainable development of the livestock sector. The adviser later presented certificates to the graduates completing the three-month pre-service training.