CM Afridi inaugurates Rs2.6bn livestock health programme

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi launched the Rs2.6 billion 'Ehsaas-e-Bezaban Sehat Gaari' programme, a major initiative aimed at enhancing livestock health, boosting farmers' incomes, and strengthening rural resilience. The program comprises 145 mobile veterinary clinics, 27 mobile lab testing units, and 202 veterinarians and assistants.

These mobile clinics will provide vaccinations, diagnostics, treatments, and emergency veterinary services at the local level, bringing vital healthcare closer to farmers in remote areas. The mobile units will be linked to a central digital dashboard for improved service monitoring and management. Mobile milk-quality testing laboratories will also be established to ensure systematic monitoring of milk quality and detect adulteration and contaminants.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the program symbolizes the government's dedication to providing equitable veterinary care, regardless of geographic barriers. He stressed the importance of protecting livestock from diseases and preventing their spread, stating that healthy animals contribute to higher productivity and income for farming families.

Livestock plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of millions of families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, providing income, nutrition, and financial security. The livestock sector is being modernized to create new income opportunities for farmers and ensure the timely detection of potential health risks through the mobile milk-quality testing laboratories.

The Chief Minister expressed his vision for a prosperous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where farmers thrive, the rural economy flourishes, and livestock remain healthy, ensuring access to safe, high-quality food for all.