EASTERN PROVINCE The Heifer Programme International (HPI) has trained 59 volunteers to attend to urgent livestock diseases before they are treated by veterinary experts. The volunteers drawn from Nyagatare, Rwamagana and Gatsibo districts received certificates on Tuesday after successfully completing a three-week training session in various emergency techniques for animal care. The function was held at EER centre in Nyagatare town. The volunteers are meant to help livestock farmers across the Eastern Province-a move expected to boost livestock farming. The HPI executes the strategy through a regional East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) project, that aims to transform livestock farming in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. The community health workers’ scheme which is the first of its kind in Rwanda is said to be similar to human health care systems at village level launched last year. At the function, Dr Charles Kayumba, the HPI-Rwanda country director, said the volunteers will make a difference in attending to emergency cases in the rural areas in the absence of veterinarians. “We want to improve the link between the cattle welfare and the service we provide by responding to the community needs of getting capable trained personnel,” he said. According to Kayumba, the volunteers were selected after being seconded by their respective livestock cooperatives, as being capable of handling the tasks. They received theoretical training but would have to attend practical experiments before being fully recognised and grated emergency assistance status. During the training, Kayumba said, the volunteers were briefed on livestock disease control and prevention, milk hygiene, and veterinary drug selection. Frida Mbanda, one of the trainees said she picked interest in the work after helping her neighbour’s cow that had fractured its leg. “I didn’t realise that people with no formal veterinary training could do something like that,” she said, adding that she is now hoping their team will do the best. The Nyagatare vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Immaculate Mukamuhizi, observed that the need for first aid in animal care has been answered. “Once you get back to your communities, please respond to livestock health cases, which people can not identify without veterinary experts,” she told the trainees. Mukamuhizi assured the volunteers of support from the government and other international organisations in providing essential equipments ease their work. Ends
