Protecting animal health ensures human nutrition: Farida Akhter
Staff Reporter:
Fisheries And Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized the animal health is essential for ensuring the nation’s nutrition and food security.
She made the remarks this afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at the “Dean’s Award and Orientation 2024” organized by the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University auditorium.
The Adviser noted that diseases affecting livestock and poultry not only threaten animal resources but also put food security at risk. “Consuming meat from diseased animals can spread infections to humans. Therefore, no compromise can be made when it comes to protecting animal health,” she said.
She further stated that the health of animals and humans is now closely interconnected. According to the “One Health” concept, ensuring animal health is equivalent to ensuring public health. Highlighting the importance of increasing participation of female veterinarians, the Adviser said, “Rural women are primarily responsible for livestock rearing. They can easily consult female veterinarians, making animal healthcare more effective.”
Describing veterinary and animal science as complementary disciplines, she emphasized that serious consideration is being given to merging the two branches. She also spoke of the government’s ongoing efforts to control infectious diseases like foot-and-mouth disease and said, “If we can control these, it will pave the way for beef exports.”
Special guests at the event included Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Latif, Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University; Prof. Dr. Md. Belal Hossain, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dhaka Agricultural University; Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services; and Dr. Shakila Faruque, Director General of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, among other leaders in the sector.
The event was chaired by Prof. Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam.
Dean’s Award recipients were honored with crests at the ceremony. Earlier, the chief guest released fish fry into the university pond.