Celebrated every last Saturday in April, World Veterinary Day was held on 27 April 2024 at the Délégation Régionale du Centre and chaired by the Inspector General of MINEPIA, personal representative of the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr TAÏGA.

Established in 2000 by the World Veterinary Association, World Veterinary Day 2024 was celebrated under the theme: “Veterinarians are key players in health”.

The chosen theme provided an opportunity to address issues likely to contribute to the promotion and improvement of the veterinary profession. The aim was not only to highlight the role played by veterinarians in the fight against animal diseases, but also in safeguarding public health by combating zoonoses, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. Another aspect taken into account is food inspection, which helps to ensure that animals are safe and that consumers and the general public have access to healthy foodstuffs.

Speaking to the press, the President of the National Order of Veterinary Surgeons of Cameroon (ONVC), Dr Albert ICHAKOU, spoke of the importance of training for the veterinary profession, as well as the role that veterinary surgeons play in human and animal health: “The veterinary profession in Cameroon is very dynamic. We now have three veterinary schools training young people in this wonderful profession. We now have 1,200 vets registered with the National Veterinary Order. We are currently fighting major zoonotic diseases such as rabies, tuberculosis and other common animal diseases. It is the role of the veterinary surgeon to diagnose these diseases and treat them so that they cannot attack humans”, he declared. During his opening speech, Didier Philippe ENGAMBA, Inspector General of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), urged veterinarians to be true ambassadors for the veterinary profession, and to demonstrate professionalism and integrity.

In addition to the recommendations set out above, he called for compliance with the code of ethics and regulations in force. In addition, he invited the Ordre Nationale des Vétérinaires to continue its work of communicating with and raising awareness of the veterinary profession among the general public. A large number of officials from central and decentralised services were present for this celebration, including the Inspector General of MINEPIA, the President of the National Order of Veterinarians of Cameroon, the Director of Veterinary Services, the Regional Delegate for Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, the Secretary General of the National Order of Veterinarians of Cameroon, not forgetting the large number of veterinarians who came to celebrate this 2024 edition.