The Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, has flagged off an anti-rabies awareness and free vaccination campaign aimed at preventing the spread of rabies and protecting the lives of residents, animals and communities across the council.
Shekwolo, while speaking during the flag-off on Wednesday at the council secretariat, said the initiative demonstrated his administration’s commitment to public health, responsible animal ownership and the prevention and control of diseases that could be transmitted between animals and humans.
He, however, called on dog owners across the various wards of the area council to take full advantage of the free vaccination exercise to ensure that their dogs and cats were vaccinated.
He noted that prevention remained safer, more effective and more economical than dealing with the consequences of disease outbreaks, stressing that people should not own pets they could not properly care for.
Shekwolo therefore called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to support the campaign by disseminating accurate information and ensuring that the message reached every household across the council.
He particularly encouraged parents to educate their children on the importance of safe interaction with animals, while urging residents to promptly report suspected cases of rabies and incidents of animal bites to the appropriate authorities.
The chairman commended the Department of Agriculture/Veterinary and Livestock Services, veterinary professionals and other stakeholders for their commitment and efforts towards making the campaign a reality.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the National Veterinary Medicine Association (NVMA), Dr Chinnaemeka Joe-Iruobo, called on stakeholders to partner with the association to rid Abuja and Nigeria of rabies.
She emphasised that no animal bite should be ignored, advising anyone bitten or exposed to a suspected rabid animal to seek immediate professional medical attention and report the incident to the relevant health and veterinary authorities.
On his part, the Director of Agriculture and Veterinary Services, Kuje, Dr Sunday Agbana, said the exercise would last for five days and cover as many cats and dogs as possible.
He said the collective efforts of all stakeholders would contribute significantly to making Kuje Area Council a safer and healthier environment for both humans and animals.