SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — Traditional veterinary surgeons in the country have resolved to work together to save livestock.

They made the resolution last week during a two-day seminar at the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST).

Unlike before when each of them worked individually, the new development will spur sharing of vital information on the treatment of different livestock diseases. The surgeons noted that unity amongst them was critical in order to share the now scarce herbs.

The seminar was the third phase of a programme to bring together the traditional vets in order to document the various herbs they use in the treatment of livestock diseases, according to Justin Kabera, a researcher at IRST.

He said: "In 1991, traditional veterinary surgeons in different parts of the country were asked what they used in the treatment of different livestock diseases. In 2005, the results were documented and presented to them.”

"The training is a continuation of the programme aimed at making the work more organised given its importance in supplementing modern veterinary medicine,” added Kabera.
Kabera said their research showed that different traditional veterinarians countrywide used different herbs for the treatment of same livestock diseases.

"We found out that there are different herbs being used to treat similar diseases by different traditional veterinarians.

It is important therefore to bring them together so that they can share such knowledge,” said Kabera, stressing that traditional veterinary medicine was vital to livestock farmers.

"Traditional veterinary herbs supplement modern medicine. It is accessible and much cheaper,” said Kabera.

According to Jean Pierre Njekanyarenze of ‘Veterinarians without borders,’  participants at the seminar were equipped with vital skills in diagnosis of animal diseases, lessons on the animal anatomy, effects of improper use of medicine on animal and human life and hygiene.

"We also realised that it was important to bring together traditional veterinarians in cooperatives in order for them to be better organised. So they were given vital skills to help them set up and work in cooperatives,” said Njekanyarenze.

During the training, participants expressed concern about the scarcity of important herbs due to clearing of forests for agriculture and human settlement.

"It is becoming difficult to find some herbs in the country. There is need to protect forest areas, lest we lose an important source of herbs,” said Mathias Kandaga, a traditional vet hailing from Musanze District in the Northern Province.

The traditional vets have in the past tended to work in secrecy. Many have kept the knowledge of treatment only to themselves.

Kandaga rapped people still operating in such a manner.  "Gone are the days when traditional veterinarians worked in secrecy, we have to share this information for the sake of posterity, these are modern times,” he said.

Kabera asked the participants not to worry about the disclosure of their herbs, saying they would be protected under the intellectual property rights for their inventions.

To ensure a continued supply of vital herbs, the participants were advised to plant tree varieties from which they can extract the necessary herbs.

The vets were given a catalogue containing the findings of the research on animal diseases carried out over years. 

The book contains a list of different livestock diseases, signs and symptoms and drug prescriptions that cut across all livestock.

"This will be an important reference resource for traditional veterinarians,” Kabera said of the book. Established in 1989, IRST mainly conducts research in the fields of applied sciences, life sciences and human sciences.

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