*PATRICIA NKHOMA
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) has introduced a Doctor of Veterinary Programme with the aim of training more animal surgeons locally.
Programme coordinator William Mfitilodze said the Malawi Poisons Board has already accredited the programme.
In the past, animal surgeons were being trained outside the country and most of them ended up picking jobs in the private sector, leaving handful for the public sector.
Mfitilodze said the current number of veterinarians in the country does not match the growing population of animals.
“In 1980, government projected it would need 142 veterinarians, about 35 years down the line it is far from reaching that target.
“We have, therefore, introduced this programme to close that gap by training more veterinarians for both the private and public sectors,” he said.
The Doctor of Veterinary Programme has so far enrolled 14 students.
