Role of Veterinarians and their Duties in Profession
Dr.Deepandita Barman1 and Dr. Arunoday Das2
1Assistant Professor, Department of LPM, LCVSC, Assam Agricultural University
2Assistant Professor, Department of ARGO, LCVSC, Assam Agricultural University
Legal Duties of Veterinarians
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/role-of-veterinarians-in-animal-welfare/
The primary role of veterinarian is to provide law enforcement officials, judges and jury members with the information necessary to make a decision (decision to prosecute..) regarding a case associated with offences against animals.
- Investigation of common offences against animals.
- Investigation in case of malicious and accidental poisoning.
- Investigation in case of fraud in the sale of livestock and livestock products.
- Issuing of health certificate.
- To prevent cruelty to animals.
- Application and enforcement of state of law meant for animals.
Code of conducts and Ethics of Veterinarians
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 66 read with section 31 of Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 (52 of 1984) the Veterinary Council of India, with previous approval of the Central Government, hereby makes the following regulations. These regulations may be called, the Veterinary Council of India (Standard of Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics, for Veterinary Practitioners) Regulations, 1992.
Duties of Veterinarians to the Profession:
- Upholding the honour of the profession: A veterinarian is expected to uphold the dignity and honour of his profession.
- Membership of societies: For the advancement of his/her profession a veterinarian may affiliate him/her with professional societies and contribute his/ her time, means and energy to their progress, so that they may represent and promote the ideals of the profession better.
- Safeguarding the profession: Every veterinarian shall laid in safeguarding the profession against admission to it of those who are deficient in moral character or education. He/she should not employ in connection with his/her professional practice any unqualified personnel to treat or perform operation upon patients.
- Exposure of unethical conduct: Exposure of unethical conduct on the part of any member of the profession shall be done without fear or favour. The incompetent, corrupt, dishonest or unethical conduct on the part of any member of the profession shall be discouraged at any cost.
- Appointment of substitute: Whenever a veterinarian (hereinafter mentioned as absent veterinarian) requests another veterinarian to attend to his/her patient/ clients during his/her temporary absence from practice professional courtesy requires the acceptance of such an appointment by the latter, if consistent with his/her other duties. The veterinarian under such appointment shall give utmost consideration to the interest and reputation of the ‘absent’ veterinarian. He/she shall not charge either the patient or the absent veterinarian or his/her services, except in case of special arrangement between them. All such patients shall be restored to the care of the absent veterinarian upon his/her return.
- Professional services of veterinarians to one another:
(1) There is no rule that a veterinarian shall not charge another veterinarian or a member of a sister profession for service rendered. But a veterinarian shall consider it a pleasure and privilege to render gratuitous service to his/her professional brethren, if they are in his/ her vicinity, or to a veterinary student.
(2) When a veterinarian is called from a distance to attend to a case of a fellow veterinarian or a member of a sister profession, reimbursement shall be made for travelling and other incidental expenses.
(3) A veterinarian called in any emergency to visit a patient under the care of another veterinarian, shall when the emergency is over, retire in favour of the latter; but shall be entitled to charge the client for his/her services.
(4) When a veterinarian is consulted at his/her own residence, it is not birding on him/her to enquire if the patient has been under the care of another veterinarian. But in the interests of the patient he/she shall, while ascertaining history, go through the treatment followed if any. However, it is unethical that his information be used to malign or instigate against, directly or indirectly, the veterinarian who happened to attend on the patient previously. When a veterinarian sees a patient at the request of another veterinarian, it shall be the duty of the first veterinarian to write a letter to the veterinarian making the request stating his/her opinion of the case with the modes of treatment he/she thinks proper to be adopted.
- (1) If a veterinarian is engaged to attend on a patient of dystokia or a similar distress he/she shall do so. Refusal to do so under excuse of another engagement is unethical except when he/ she are already engaged in similar or another serious case(s).
(2) When a veterinarian engaged to attend a serious case is absent and another veterinarian is sent for, the latter shall be entitled to legitimate fees; provided that he/she shall secure the client’s consent to withdraw on arrival of the former at a mutually consented or logical phase.
- When it becomes the duty of a veterinarian occupying an official position to see and report on an illness or injury or any other professional problems concerning a patient, he/she shall do so, but communicate to the veterinarian in attendance, so as to give him/her an option to be present. The former shall avoid remarks on the diagnosis or treatment that has been adopted. This does not prevent him/her from discussing the matter with the later in isolation.
