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What’s the state of SA’s veterinary and para-veterinary industry? Here are some insights
We are pleased to unveil the findings of the SAVC’s recent survey conducted by Marketing Surveys and Statistical Analysis, which will help us to identify the challenges and opportunities facing our veterinary and para-veterinary industries, and map a way forward.
The needs analysis, conducted between 2020 and 2022 and funded by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, surveyed the following groups, in addition to veterinary students and households with pets:
• 703 registered veterinarians
• 533 registered para-veterinarians
• 461 commercial farmers
• 241 emerging farmers and 274 small-scale farmers
“This survey provides us with a solid, evidence-based foundation for future decision-making and actions relating to our professions. This, in turn, will help us to identify gaps, and maintain and improve standards,” says SAVC president Dr Nandipha Ndudane.
“We are currently addressing a number of the issues that were raised in the survey, such as the need for transformation, the shortage of veterinarians, the need for mental health awareness and the limited access to primary animal healthcare by smallholder farmers in rural areas.”
Here are some of the findings:
Veterinarians
There was a general feeling among those canvassed that the veterinary industry needs to grow by creating more awareness of the value vets offer to society, and that it must explore synergistic partnerships with other industries and sectors.
Respondents also stated that the training opportunities available for would-be veterinarians, currently restricted to Onderstepoort, must be reassessed. One of the most important issues highlighted was that vets should be made aware of the importance of managing their work-life balance, and for enhanced awareness around mental health issues.
The vets surveyed were also mindful of the need to provide quality veterinary services in rural areas and to look closely at issues of affordability and socio-economic circumstances when providing care. Vitally, they emphasised that the profession needed a well-defined transformation strategy while being mindful of maintaining standards.
Para-veterinary professionals
The needs analysis revealed a strong desire among para-veterinary professionals to further their training and development. They are hungry for more career and professional growth opportunities.
Here, the SAVC, training institutions, the government and the various professional associations will need to play a role in elevating the future prospects of these para-veterinary professionals – such as animal health technicians, veterinary nurses, laboratory animal technologists, veterinary physiotherapists and veterinary technologists.
The research found that many para-veterinary professionals are eager to be afforded more independence and autonomy in their lines of work. They would also like to see the status of their professions being elevated in society and in the economy, and for this to translate into higher earning potential.
Critically, para-veterinary professionals believe that there should be a heightened awareness and visibility of who they are, what they do, the study opportunities available to them and how they add value to the community. They strongly advocate for a “matching service” to link para-veterinary professionals with job opportunities.
Commercial farmers
Most commercial farmers surveyed believe that veterinarians play an important role in ensuring food security, and have a positive opinion of vets (with 90% expressing great respect for them). They also agree that veterinary services help control zoonotic diseases (which spread between animals and humans) in South Africa.
However, while 71% of respondents have easy access to veterinary services in their area, most farmers treat their animals themselves – unless there is an emergency. They are generally well informed about animal diseases, and say they have sufficient access to livestock remedies and to scheduled medicines available on prescription.
Eighty percent of the farmers canvassed have livestock, and three-quarters believe there is no shortage of veterinary services in their areas. The 25% of respondents who are affected by perceived veterinarian shortages are principally mutton, goat, wool and mohair farmers.
Two areas of potential concern are that only 48% say that veterinarians charge reasonable rates for their services, and only between 35% and 46% believe that they need the services of animal health technicians. There is a need for more brand-building, communication and liaison between commercial farmers and the professions, it was found.
Emerging and small-scale farmers
One of the biggest challenges facing up-and-coming and small-scale farmers is their lack of agricultural training, the survey found, with more than three-quarters of respondents expressing a need for more education in this regard.
These households are mainly isiXhosa-, isiZulu- and Setswana-speaking, and have limited income from pensions, grants and full-time and part-time work, which they use as a platform to embark on farming activities.
More of these farmers (45%) are aware of state veterinary services in their area than are aware of veterinary clinics (39%) and community veterinary clinics (26%).
Of some concern is that a third of respondents do not use veterinary services at all. However, half rely on advice from fellow farmers on how to maintain healthy herds, and most are aware of the need to isolate livestock or consult veterinary professionals in case of disease. Only 10% do not have preventative plans in place to ensure healthy livestock.
South Africa’s livestock farming sector is estimated as being home to 13.1-million cattle and 19.7-million sheep, roughly a third of which are owned by emerging and small-scale farmers. Such insights will help the industry to tailor more effective veterinary interventions and services for all farmers.
