PUNJAB NEWS : To provide top-quality healthcare and a comfortable environment for animals, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian inaugurated a modern In-Patient Department (IPD) ward at the Government Veterinary Polyclinic in Badal village, Sri Muktsar Sahib. This initiative kickstarts IPD services for livestock in six polyclinics across the state.
During the inauguration, the Minister shared that veterinary polyclinics in Patiala, Amritsar, Sangrur, Gurdaspur, and Ludhiana are also equipped to begin indoor services. These facilities will provide critical care, surgeries, post-operative treatment, diagnostic tests (X-rays, lab tests, ultrasounds), routine checkups, and other animal health services.
S. Khudian emphasized that the newly launched IPD services will significantly assist livestock farmers by offering necessary care after surgeries. Previously, the absence of such indoor facilities posed serious risks like wound infections, toxaemia, and even animal mortality due to lack of post-surgery support.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has established these wards to ensure animals can be admitted and treated until full recovery. The polyclinics will also include observation and rehabilitation sections for specialized care.
The Minister also urged livestock owners to participate in the state’s massive Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination campaign, targeting over 65 lakh animals by May 2025. Over 1600 teams have been deployed for this mission. Additionally, he encouraged the use of sex-sorted semen to enhance livestock quality and address the issue of stray animals.
Dr. G.S. Bedi, Director of Animal Husbandry, Punjab, outlined several initiatives under Principal Secretary Mr. Rahul Bhandari’s guidance, including anti-snake venom facilities in 97 tehsils and 22 polyclinics, free deworming under the ASCAD scheme, anti-tetanus shots for equines, bovine breeding authority activation, and registration of pet shops and breeders. He urged the public to make full use of these schemes for animal welfare.