Veterinarians central to public health policy, says Lagos NVMA chair

Veterinarians central to public health policy, says Lagos NVMA chair

Dr Mark Ofua, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), has called for greater inclusion of veterinarians in Nigeria’s public health planning, stressing their critical role in the One Health agenda.

Ofua made the call in an interview with the news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of an event marking the 2026 World Veterinary Day celebration on Wednesday in Lagos.

Speaking on the global theme: “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health,” Ofua said the Lagos chapter adapted it to reflect local realities by adding “The Nigerian Paradox.”

According to him, while veterinarians are globally recognised as essential players in safeguarding both animal and human health, their role in Nigeria remains largely under utilised.

“Veterinarians are the bridge between animal health and human health. We help reduce and eliminate spillover of diseases from animals to humans.

“But in Nigeria, despite several epidemics and even the COVID-19 pandemic,

veterinarians have often been relegated to the background in conversations where they should be central,” he said.

Ofua noted that many major public health threats, including COVID-19, Ebola, Lassa fever and avian influenza, have zoonotic origins, making veterinary expertise indispensable.

He said emerging and re-emerging diseases of animal origin account for a significant proportion of global health threats, underscoring the urgency of integrating veterinarians into policymaking, disease prevention and response strategies.

He also raised concerns over unsafe practices in livestock production, including indiscriminate use of veterinary drugs by non-professionals.

According to him, the absence of veterinary oversight on many farms has contributed to drug residue in food products and growing antimicrobial resistance, both of which pose serious risks to human health.

“If you go to farms, you find animals without veterinary supervision. Drugs are being used indiscriminately, creating challenges of drug residue in food and antimicrobial resistance
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“These are major threats to public health, and veterinarians are best positioned to address them,” he said.

Ofua commended the participation of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, at the event, describing his remarks on emerging diseases and health systems collaboration as timely and insightful.

He said the World Veterinary Day event brought together stakeholders across environment, animal health and human health sectors to strengthen collaboration under the One Health framework.

He urged policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and give veterinarians active roles in health governance.

“If you are having a conversation on public health or community health and veterinarians are not in key positions, then you have not started.

“You cannot focus only on the human aspect while ignoring the source of many diseases and health risks.

“We must change the conversation, not just in words but in action. Veterinarians must be recognised and engaged as key stakeholders in the One Health agenda,” he said.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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