SUGGESTIONS FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS OF VETERINARY PRACTICES REGULATION (MSVPR) AND NEED OF CHANGE IN THE VCI ACTS 1984 IN THE INTEREST OF VETERINARY PROFESSION
K.P. Singh*1 and Praneeta Singh2
Government Veterinary Hospital, Deoranian, Bareilly,
Department of Animal Husbandry, Uttar Pradesh, India
1: Veterinary Officer, Government Veterinary Hospital, Deoranian, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh Email: drkpsvet@rediffmail.com
2: Assistant Professor, Department of Livestock Products Technology, C.V.A.Sc., GBPUAT, Pantnagar, U.S.Nagar, Uttrakhand Email: vet_praneeta12@rediffmail.com
*Corresponding Author: Veterinary Officer, Government Veterinary Hospital, Deoranian, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh Email: drkpsvet@rediffmail.com
INTRODUCTION
India is first in milk production in the world production with 198 million tonnes in 2020 from 125.43 million milch cows and buffaloes and the projected milk production increases to 208 million tonnes in 2021. Milk production in India has increased from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 198.4 million tonnes in 2019-20. India has vast resource of livestock and poultry, which plays a vital role in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural masses. There are about 300.00 million bovines 65.07 million sheep, 135.2 million goats and about 10.3 million pigs as per 19th Livestock Census in the country. India has vast resource of livestock and poultry, which plays a vital role in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural masses. There are about 300.00 million bovines 65.07 million sheep, 135.2 million goats and about 10.3 million pigs as per 19th Livestock Census in the country.
There is increase in the contribution of livesctock to GDP of country which accounts for more than 40% of total agricultural sector and more than 12% of GDP Livestock provide milk, meat, draft power, hides and skins, manure and other valuable by products thus significantly contributing to sustainable human nutrition and economy of the nation. It forms an important livelihood activity for most of the farmers, supporting agriculture in the form of critical inputs, contributing to the health and nutrition of the household, supplementing incomes, offering employment opportunities, and finally being a dependable “bank on hooves” in times of need. It acts as a supplementary and complementary enterprise.
Dairy sector also plays an important role in achieving food security, reducing global poverty, generating employment opportunities for women, and providing a regular source of income for rural households. Moreover, in developing economies, landless and poor farmers are actively involved in dairying as an essential means of livelihood. Dairying is equally important in developing economies like India, for providing nutrition support, reducing rural poverty, inequity, ensuring food security for millions of rural households, and enhancing economic growth, particularly in rural areas. While world milk production during 2017 stood at 849 MMT (million metric tonnes) or 232 crore litres per day, India alone accounted for almost 20% of this, at 174 MMT, followed by the US with 97.7 MMT. Going ahead, India’s milk production is expected to outperform global production and grow to 185 MMT per annum, and surpass the EU to emerge as the largest dairy producer by 2020.
In the 1950s and 1960s, India was a milk deficit country, depending mostly on imports. In 1965, the government of India established the National Dairy Development Board to direct India’s dairy sector development. In 1970, the government launched Operation Flood (OF), the world’s largest dairy development programme, whose aim was enhancing milk production in the country. By 1998, India overtook the US to become the largest milk producer in the world, and it contributed 22 per cent of the global milk production in 2018. Between 1991 and 2018, the per capita availability of milk increased from 178 (gm/day) to 394 (gm/day). During this period, milk production in India increased from 55.6 million tonnes to 187.7 million tonnes, and growing at 4 per cent compounded annually. As per the NITI Aayog working group 2018 report, milk production in India will increase to around 330 million tonnes in 2032-33, and milk supply will exceed milk demand by 38 million tonnes in 2032-33. As per the National Action Plan on Dairy Development vision 2022 report, it is envisioned to increase milk procurement and processing through setting up of village-level dairy infrastructure. Under this plan, organised milk handling is to be increased to 41 per cent by 2022 and to 50 per cent by 2023-24. Milk procurement by cooperatives will increase from 10 per cent in 2020 to 20 per cent in 2023, and milk procurement by the private sector will be increased from 10 per cent to 30 per cent in the same period.
The dairy market in India reached a value of INR 11,357 Billion in 2020. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to grow at a CAGR of 15.4% during 2021-2026.The dairy sector is one of the crucial sectors in the Indian economy that not only provides employment to millions of rural households but also contributes to the economy. Among the livestock products, milk consists of the highest share, and it accounted for 67.2 per cent of the livestock sector in 2017.
Annually, 8.4 million farmers depend on the dairy sector for their livelihoods, out of which 71 per cent are women (Agriculture Skill Council of India). Furthermore, in a year, crop production employs the rural workforce for 90 to 120 days, but dairy provides alternative employment opportunities throughout the 365 days of the year. On a regional level, the market has been classified into Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab, where Uttar Pradesh currently dominates the dairy industry in India.
The recent Covid-19 pandemic has affected different sectors of the economy and has reduced employment opportunities, particularly for migrant workers. As per the 2011 Census, India has 45.36 crore internal migrants, which includes both within-State and inter-State migrants; the latter have been hit hardest, due to pandemic enforced restriction on inter-State movements. When these migrant labourers return to their homes, this reverse migration will create new challenges for them, as the lack of employment prospects at the village level will make their life more difficult.
This is a great opportunity for the State governments to promote dairy business in those districts where milk production and milk availability are less than the national average. They can facilitate the promotion of the cooperative model in these regions, to channelise and formalise milk procurement, which will help millions of people to be gainfully employed.
Requirement of Minimum Veterinary Practice Standards
Each veterinary licensee shall comply with the following:
Medical Records
A legible individual record shall be maintained for each animal. However, the medical record for a litter may be recorded either on the dam’s record or on a litter record until the individual animals are permanently placed or reach the age of three months. Records for herd or flock animals may be maintained on a group or client basis. All records shall be readily retrievable and must be kept for a minimum of three (3) years following the last treatment or examination. Records shall include, but are not limited to, the following information: (a) Name or initials of the veterinarian responsible for entries; any written entry to a medical record that is made subsequent to the date of treatment or service must include the date that the entry was added. (b) Name, address and telephone number of the owner and/or client; (c) Name, number or other identification of the animal and/or herd or flock; (d) Species, breed, age, sex, and color or distinctive markings, where applicable, each individual animal; (e) Vaccination history, if known, shall be part of the medical record; (f) Beginning and ending dates of custody of the animal; (g) Pertinent history and presenting complaint; (h) A physical exam shall be performed to establish or maintain a VCPR; and then each time an animal is presented with a new health problem, unless the animal’s temperament precludes examination, or physical exam is declined by the owner.
Physical Examination
For each physical exam the following conditions shall be evaluated and findings documented when applicable by species, even if such condition is normal: (A) Temperature; (B) Current weight or weight estimate for large animals; (C) Body condition or score; (D) Eyes, ears, nose and throat; (E) Oral cavity; (F) Cardiovascular and respiratory systems including heart rate and pulse, auscultation of the thorax, trachea, as species appropriate, and respiratory rate; (G) Evaluation of the abdomen by palpation and/or auscultation if applicable by species; (H) Lymph nodes; (I) Musculoskeletal system; (J) Neurological system; (K) Genito/urinary system; (L) Integumentary system (M) All data obtained by instrumentation; (N) Diagnostic assessment; (O) If relevant, a prognosis of the animal’s condition; (P) Diagnosis or tentative diagnosis at the beginning of custody of animal; (Q) Treatments and intended treatment plan, medications, immunizations administered, dosages, frequency and route of administration; (R) All prescription or legend drugs dispensed, ordered or prescribed shall be recorded including: dosage, frequency, quantity and directions for use. Any changes made by telecommunications shall be recorded. Legend drugs in original unopened manufacturer’s packaging dispensed or ordered for herd use are exempt from this rule.
Legend and prescription drugs are as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in ‘FDA and the Veterinarian’. (S) Surgical procedures shall be described including name of the surgeon, suture material used, and diagnostic findings; (T) Progress of the case while in the veterinary medical facility; (U) Exposed radiographs shall have permanent facility and animal identification; (V) If a client waives or declines any examinations, tests, or other recommended treatments, such waiver or denial shall be noted in the records. (2) Surgery: Surgery shall be performed in a manner compatible with current veterinary practice with regard to anesthesia, asepsis or antisepsis, life support and monitoring procedures and recovery care.
The minimum standards for surgery:
(a) Aseptic surgery shall be performed in a room or area designated for that purpose and isolated from other activities during the procedure. A separate, designated area is not necessarily required for herd or flock animal surgery or antiseptic surgery; (b) The surgery room or area shall be clean, orderly, well-lighted and maintained in a sanitary condition; (c) All appropriate equipment shall be sterilized: (A) Chemical disinfection (“cold sterilization”) shall be used only for field conditions or antiseptic surgical procedures; (B) Provisions for sterilization shall include a steam pressure sterilizer (autoclave) or gas sterilizer (e.g., ethylene oxide) or equivalent. (d) For each aseptic surgical procedure, a separate sterile surgical pack shall be used for each animal. Surgeons and surgical assistants shall use aseptic technique throughout the entire surgical procedure; (e) Minor surgical procedures shall be performed at least under antiseptic surgical techniques; (f) All animals shall be prepared for surgery as follows: (A) Clip and surgically prepare the surgical area for aseptic surgical procedures; (B) Loose hair must be removed from the surgical area; (C) Scrub the surgical area with appropriate surgical soap; (D) Disinfect the surgical area; (E) Drape the surgical area appropriately.
A veterinarian shall use appropriate and humane methods of anesthesia, analgesia and sedation to minimize pain and distress during any procedures or conditions and shall comply with the following standards: (a) Animals shall have a documented physical exam conducted within 24 hours prior to the administration of a sedative or anesthetic, which is necessary for veterinary procedures, unless the temperament of the patient precludes an exam prior to the use of chemical restraint; (b) An animal under general anesthesia for a medical or surgical procedure shall be under direct observation throughout the anesthetic period and during recovery from anesthesia until the patient is awake and in sternal recumbency; (c) A method of cardiac monitoring shall be employed to assess heart rate and rhythm repeatedly during anesthesia and may include a stethoscope or electronic monitor; (d) A method of monitoring the respiratory system shall be employed to assess respiratory rate and pattern repeatedly during anesthesia and may include a stethoscope or electronic monitor. (e) Where general anesthesia is performed in a hospital or clinic for companion animal species (excluding farm animals), anesthetic equipment available shall include an oxygen source, equipment to maintain an open airway and a stethoscope; (f) Anesthetic and sedation procedures and anesthetic and sedative medications used shall be documented, including agent used, dosage, route of administration, and strength, if available in more than one strength; (g) Adequate means for resuscitation including intravenous catheter and fluids shall be available; (h) Emergency drugs shall be immediately available at all times; (i) While under sedation or general anesthesia, materials shall be provided to help prevent loss of body heat; (j) Analgesic medications, techniques and/or husbandry methods shall be used to prevent and minimize pain in animals experiencing or expected to experience pain, including but not limited to all surgical procedures; (k) Chemical restraint may be used in conjunction with, but not in lieu of, analgesic therapy; (l) Appropriate analgesic therapy shall be guided by information specific to each case, including but not limited to species, breed, patient health and behavioral characteristics, the procedure performed, and the expected degree and duration of pain;
Library: A library of appropriate and current veterinary journals and textbooks or access to veterinary internet resources shall be available for ready reference.
Laboratory: Veterinarians shall have the capability for use of either in-house or outside laboratory service for appropriate diagnostic testing of animal samples.
Biologicals and drugs: The minimum standards for drug procedures shall be: (a) All biological substances shall be stored, maintained, administered, dispensed and prescribed in compliance with federal and state laws and manufacturers’ recommendations; (b) Controlled substances and legend drugs shall be dispensed, ordered or prescribed based on a VCPR and shall be labeled with the following: (A) Name of client and identification of animal(s); (B) Date dispensed; (C) Complete directions for use; (D) Name, strength, dosage and the amount of the drug dispensed; (E) Manufacturer’s expiration date; (F) Name of prescribing veterinarian and veterinary medical facility. (c) No biological or drug shall be administered or dispensed after the expiration date, for a fee. (d) If requested, a prescription shall be provided to a client for medications prescribed by the veterinarian under a valid VCPR. (7) A veterinarian shall not use or participate in the use of any form of advertising or solicitation which contains a false, deceptive or misleading statement or claim.
http://vci.dadf.gov.in/sites/default/files/IVPR/Veterinary-Practice-Regulations.pdf
