No room for commercial vet services yet, so service provided free

Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Mohamed Shainee has stated that it wasn’t yet possible to introduce commercial veterinarian services to Maldives, but that the ministry has hired a vet and was providing the services to those who needed it, for free.

In an exclusive interview with “Sun”, Minister Shainee said the second round of goat breeding program was set to begin this year, and that the ministry will be providing technical assistance to the project.

He said that since there wasn’t any vet in Maldives, ministry had brought in a vet from out of the country and will be providing his services, free of charge.

“Those who require his assistance will be given it, free of charge. But cost of transport and vaccines – if needed – and administrating the shots need to be borne by service holder. But his technical expertise will be provided for free,” said Shainee.

When questioned whether the government planned to educate and produce Maldivian vets, Minister Shainee said the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture did not wish to force people to obtaining education and training in specific areas, and that people had free rein to choose their field of education.

He said that the ministry already ran a series of workshops for school students who wish to pursue their education in fisheries or agriculture.

Shainee said the ministry had someone with a master’s degree in veterinarian studies, and another with experience in the field working for it.

He said it wasn’t yet possible to introduce commercial vet services in Maldives.

“However, we are doing this by bringing in a vet from outside because it isn’t yet possible to provide the service here. We are providing services to different islands, households and pets upon demand,” said Shainee.

The lack of vets are sorely felt by Maldivians with pets.