SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — The governor of the Southern Province, Fidele Ndayisaba has launched a six-year project for private veterinary practitioners in the province.

The project, Proxivet, funded by the Belgian government through its department of Development Cooperation, was launched on Wednesday in Huye District. It is estimated to cost over euro 1million (about Frw786.8m)

Launching the project, Ndayisaba said the project would back the government’s poverty eradication efforts in rural areas by providing the much needed veterinary services to sustain the One Cow One Family initiative.

The governor noted that setting up a project for private veterinarians is in line with government’s vision of having an economy mainly led by the private sector.

For the start, the project will operate in the districts of Huye and Nyamagabe. It is, however, expected to cover the districts of Nyaruguru, Gisagara and Nyanza by the year 2011.

Dr. Leonidas Mbanzamihigo, the project manager said that the project’s main objective is to bring veterinary services closer to the people.

"The project is important for ordinary people because they will be able to receive quality service from qualified veterinary personnel at a small cost. What is important is that personnel will always be available to treat animals and advise them on the best practices,” said Mbanzamihigo.

The project also aims at improving the conditions of living for families involved in small scale livestock agriculture. Women are especially targeted by the project.

At the launch, veterinary officials working under the project were given an assortment of initial equipments provided by Rotary International and Rotary Clubs of Belgium through the Rotary Club of Butare.

The items included: medicines, surgery and vaccination kits, office stationery, bicycles and motorcycles to ease transport.

The launching ceremony was also attended by the Belgian Ambassador to Rwanda, Theo Baert, officials from ‘Veterinaries without Borders’- Belgium, Rotarians, and officials from partnering local associations-Imbaraga, and SDA-Iriba.

Proxivet is supported by ‘Veterinaries without Borders’ from Belgium.

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