Vets Beyond Borders Australia

Published 04 May 2008

At the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan, a VBB clinical training team visited the country recently to deliver a programme entitled “The Clinical Essentials of ABC/AR Projects”. Twenty veterinarians and para-veterinarians from the Department of Livestock travelled from all parts of the country to attend the course, held between 8th and 19th April 2008. There are no private veterinary clinics in Bhutan.

Training staff comprised four VBB members, including three from the SARAH Programme in Sikkim, Drs Karma and Phurba and senior vet-aide Bucchu. Funding from valued VBB sponsor, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, enabled the team to travel to Paro in the west of Bhutan to present the course. In the ten days of clinical work following the preliminary seminars, 114 dogs were surgically sterilised and received routine treatment, with only two complications, both managed successfully, and no fatalities. A range of other cases were also presented for treatment.

Bhutanese hospitality is legendary and our hosts certainly lived up to that reputation. Although there were only two non-clinical days, a climb up to Taktsang monastery, impossibly perched on a massive cliff face, and an all-day “khuru” match, which involved hurling 30cm-long, sharply-pointed darts at a 30 x 15cm target about 30 metres distant, ensured that the VBB team had a memorable visit to this fascinating country.

At the closing ceremony, during which VBB certificates were presented to the trainees, the Director of the Department of Livestock stressed to attendees the importance of incorporating VBB policies into their clinical work. Responses to the post-training questionnaire confirmed the value of the course. VBB is committed to the delivery of such programmes to refine the clinical skills of indigenous veterinary personnel, enabling the establishment of sustainable animal-welfare initiatives in Asia and the Pacific.

In response to an invitation from the Bhutanese Department of Livestock, VBB has submitted its draft national stray dog management plan to the Chief Veterinary Officer. Both parties are hopeful that a collaborative nationwide initiative, based on the highly-successful SARAH Programme, will be able to commence in the not-too-distant future.

Ian Douglas Veterinary Director