While President Uhuru Kenyatta was announcing the lockdown measures on Monday, one body, the Union of Veterinary Practitioners of Kenya (UVPK) was not happy, they have been trying to get the attention of the govt since the 7:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew was announced on 25th march 2020.
UVPK says its members have been harrassed by police while doing their duties at night.
“How can Police in Eldoret Central Police Station arrest a Veterinary Surgeon coming from performing Ceasarian Section to a cow that developed Difficulty in Calving (Dystocia) this evening? Should we allow animals to suffer during Curfew? Is Kenya Police aware that @) Veterinary Services is Part of Health Services? (b) that Corona Virus crossed from Animals? We demand the immediate release of the said Doctor!!! This is a matter that has been raised before. Veterinary Services is essential since it’s disruption will result into more zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, Rift Valley Fever, Ebola, Marburg, Hanta Virus, Avian Influenza, Swine Flu, Lassa Fever, Anthrax etc”, UVPK wrote
The list of services and personnel exempted from the curfew had to be ammended to include lawyers on the second day of its announcement before gazettment.
The Union argues that the treatment of animals is a fundamental right and that they (animals) dont chose to be sick.
“Animals don’t choose the times to become sick. Remember these are part of peoples families as pets and livelihoods. You can not abandon a patient in need because it’s 10 minutes to curfew and what if you have clients across the restricted zones? What happens?”, UVPK posed.
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