Are collaborative partnerships the future?

by Dr Hans Britz

Partnerships for the purpose of delivering a service can benefit the community more than if the sectors worked as separate entities.

The Western Cape Government is of course citizen-centric, and in 2017, two of the values, namely those of Innovation and Caring, led to the creation of the Oudtshoorn Compulsory Community Service Clinic. This was a joint venture between the State Vet office and Animal Care Team, a local nonprofit animal welfare organisation.

The clinic aims to provide primary animal health care to those that cannot afford private veterinary fees. The private veterinarians in the area support the clinic and they refer cost constraint cases to the clinic. The private veterinarians also serve as mentors for the young Compulsory Community Service veterinarians.

TThe well-known author and political activist Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” This was referring to political and human rights issues but can be applied to many current phenomena. In a post-COVID-19 world, the financial impacts are far reaching for both public and private sector. Now is the time for the state and other organisations to join forces and see how they can solve problems collaboratively.

The state provides some of the drugs, the building and the vet, while equipment etc. received from local animal welfare organisations, schools, veterinary retail industries, private veterinarians and a local carpentry business assembled the clinic to where it is today as a joint effort, from what was just an empty garage. The clinic also works closely with the municipal pound staff, regularly seeing to their sick animals and doing routine sterilisations for them.

Local volunteers function as ad hoc clinic staff and assist with holding patients and post-operative care. Local schoolchildren interested in becoming veterinarians also shadow at the clinic and foster their love for animals. This community effort partnership is non-profitable yet self-sustainable as the community is a part of it.

The Oudtshoorn State Vet office also has a long-term arrangement with Animal

Care Team to host the annual Oudtshoorn Animal Day. This event started in 2018 as a rabies vaccination day, where residents of the greater Oudtshoorn area could bring their dogs and cats for a free vaccination against rabies.

Thanks to the involvement of the government, over 50 local business entities donating, schools attending, the local mayor of Oudtshoorn attending, a local radio station and of course the residents of Oudtshoorn, this event has grown tremendously over the last few years. This year the planning committee was a joint effort between State Vet office members, animal welfare group members and members of public, with some input from local schools as well. The committee was led by the State Vet office. We worked closely with a local school to organise the first Oudtshoorn Animal Day community colour run fundraiser.

The question to be asked is whether working together can be to the benefit of both the public sector as well as private entities. There are a large number of obstacles to overcome in order to ensure the success of such partnerships but where there are a shared outcome and willing people, there will always be a way in which to achieve the goal.

Past experience has shown that the different skill sets, mandates and approaches to business have been contributing to each other’s success. This is not a new concept and have been used the world over with great success.

By working with private entities, the reach of State Veterinary Services and rabies vaccination campaigns are increased. The animal welfare groups use the Oudtshoorn Animal Day as a fundraising and awareness platform with locals all contributing donations.

By highlighting social partnerships, the government can achieve so much more. In a time where the credibility of certain government functions is at a lower level than what is required, government can use all the help they can get. Veterinary Services has in the past shown that good co-operation with the public sector has been very successful not only in the eradication of diseases but also in the upliftment of the farming enterprises and community.

In conclusion, collaborative partnerships are the future of government services and for the benefit of all. AP

For more information, contact Dr Hans Britz: