|
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (April 14, 2008) - Government
veterinary officials in Afghanistan's Farah province, assisted by
coalition forces, treated animals and taught local shepherds how to
care for their livestock at an event at Farah Fire Base.
The civil affairs team stationed at the Farah Fire Base helped
the provincial veterinarian in hosting the event April 2. Dr.
Gulam, the provincial veterinarian, coordinated and organized the
event by putting out radio messages and sending his technicians to
remote villages to invite ranchers to the event. The civil affairs
team organized the supplies and requested volunteers from the
provincial reconstruction team's medical personnel to assist with
the event.
"We wanted to treat [the animals] because it's the right thing
to do," the civil affairs team's medic said. "Normally, the animals
would get nothing in the way of veterinary treatment."
Overall, the animals brought in were "fairly healthy," the team
sergeant said.
All of the animals were treated for worms. Gulam gave two of the
sickest animals antibiotics and asked the ranchers to bring the
animals in for a follow-up appointment. He also taught the ranchers
how to administer the de-worming medicine to their herds.
"The short-term goals involved inoculating the herds for worms
and legitimizing the provincial government's veterinarian program
for animal husbandry," the team sergeant said.
Officials said the ranchers will see increased income resulting
from healthier livestock and that the effort will engender
long-term confidence in the provincial veterinary office.
|
