Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Mon Repos Vet Lab is 80 percent complete
It appears as though the deadline for the Veterinary Laboratory at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara will be met.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, disclosed yesterday that the facility is about 80 percent complete, with three weeks of work left to be finished.
This would mean that the November month end deadline might most likely be met.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, had visited the site less than two months ago, informing reporters that construction of the facility was just about 55 percent completed.
Construction ongoing on the Vet Lab during early last September
At a cost of US $2.5M, Dr. Ramsammy said that the laboratory will have the capability to test, detect, and diagnose diseases affecting animals, thus ultimately improving the livestock sector.
The laboratory is being built where the Animal Health Laboratory once stood. Because the old facility was hardly ever used, and had not been functioning as a full-fledged lab, it was demolished and redesigned.
Dr. Ramsammy explained that the Animal Health Lab was operating as sample holding facility, and that tests had to be done overseas. However, with the new diagnostic lab, the Minister said, the resources will be made available to allow for testing to be done locally.
He noted that when the laboratory is commissioned, it will be equipped to test for brucellosis which is caused by bacteria, and affects mainly sheep, goats, pigs, cattle and dogs; bovine (cattle) diseases; leptospirosis; and tuberculosis among others.
Just recently, Cabinet announced its approval for the contracts to deliver, install and commission equipment for the lab at a cost of Euros 265,825.
The equipment will be installed upon completion of the lab, Dr. Ramsammy said.
The Minister noted also that his Ministry is working to have the laboratory accredited, so that the tests done here can be recognized abroad.
Dr. Ramsammy had told Kaieteur News that the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is critical as Guyana moves towards consolidating its food security and lowering its high importation cost.
It was further noted that soon, there will be a database on the Veterinary Practitioners’ Act, and a Veterinary Council will be set up to register all veterinarians and veterinary technicians across the country.
Dr. Ramsammy also made mention of the Animals (Movement and Disease Prevention) Act, which is intended to address the wellbeing of animals.
He said that wanting to improve the quality of meat produced locally, especially for exports, would call for healthy animals, thus, a credible animal health lab is necessary.
The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is, and will remain under the supervision of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), which is headed by Dr. Dindyal Permaul.
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