It gives me immense pleasure and happiness to learn that “World Veterinary Day” is being celebrated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on30thApril, 2022 along with the rest of the world. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Strengthening Veterinary Resilience”.
Around the world, Veterinary Services play important role in society, protecting animal health and welfare, while also responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic. This profession is a rewarding pursuit as safeguarding animals against illness means protecting those divine creatures who suffer but cannot speak. Veterinarians are called upon to ensure these animals have an empathetic advocate who ensures their welfare.
Veterinarians, much like their patients, need proper tools and support to maintain their personal health and wellness. Healthy animals require healthy advocates. Resilient veterinarians are better equipped to handle the daily challenges and crises that may occur in their vocation. But this burden can be physically and mentally taxing. Stress, burnout and other health issues have risen in recent years, particularly during the pandemic.
Building such resilience requires appropriate support by institutions, associations and Governments to ensure adequate education, training and mentorship. It also requires consistent research to better understand the mental and physical burden on veterinarians and to develop techniques to provide greater support.
The 2022 World Veterinary Day will celebrate such efforts from
Governments, veterinary associations and others to strengthen veterinary resilience and bring attention to this important cause.
My heartiest wishes for the “World Veterinary Day” celebrations.
Sd/-
(Admiral D K Joshi)
PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.)
Lieutenant Governor
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
&
Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency
