Municipal councillors are challenging a government decision to reject a proposal to reopen a long-closed facility for veterinary services in Budaiya.
The Northern Municipal Council, during its first meeting of the final term yesterday, unanimously approved a plan to reinstate low-cost services at the former Budaiya Veterinary Centre, which was shut down in 2004.
The original proposal aimed to make services free for all farm animals and pets, but councillors have now scaled it down to cover only livestock and charge a minimal fee for services.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Agriculture Under-Secretary Assem Abdullatif, however, told the council in writing that such a move would harm private veterinary providers who are offering services following the closure of the Budaiya facility.
“The market is in strong shape and there are many service providers with huge business opportunities,” he said, adding that reopening of the Budaiya facility will harm the private sector, ‘robbing it of the ability to thrive’.
“Free vaccinations for epidemics and consultations will continue being provided by us in partnership with the private sector,” Mr Abdullatif added.
Veterinary services at the Budaiya centre were halted two decades ago as part of a privatisation plan, with the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry continuing only targeted free vaccination campaigns against infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth and respiratory illnesses in cows.
According to official statistics, around 10,000 animals receive vaccinations every six months.
Northern Municipal Council vice-chairwoman Zaina Jassim, who spearheaded the proposal, argued that the lack of affordable veterinary care has had far-reaching effects on farmers and the agricultural economy.
“Government veterinary services play a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector, particularly in providing essential healthcare to livestock,” she said.
“When these services were halted, small-scale farmers were the most affected. Many cannot afford private veterinary services, leading to untreated animal health issues and economic loss.”
She added that reintroducing services with minimal fees would strike a balance between affordability and sustainability.
“The primary goal is to make essential veterinary care accessible to all farmers while ensuring the service is sustainable,” said Ms Jassim.
“Minimal fees can cover part of the costs while reducing the burden on farmers, helping maintain quality services without significantly draining public funds.”
Councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi claimed that there was a decline in animal caretaking, which was partly due to the rising costs of private services.
“It costs a fortune to wash a cat, imagine how much it costs to have a pedicure and manicure,” he said.
He stressed that resuming affordable public services would encourage more people to invest in livestock and animal welfare, reviving the sector.
The proposal has now been forwarded to the Cabinet after differences emerged between the council and the ministry over the plan’s feasibility.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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