Sohail Afridi unveils Rs2.6bn livestock health plan

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has inaugurated a Rs2.6 billion livestock health programme aimed at expanding veterinary services and improving access to animal healthcare across the province.

The initiative, named “Ehsaas-e-Bezaban Sehat Gaari,” includes 145 mobile veterinary clinics and 27 mobile laboratory units. A total of 202 veterinary doctors and assistants will be deployed under the programme.

The mobile clinics will operate at the tehsil level and provide vaccination, disease diagnosis, treatment and emergency services. The programme is intended to extend veterinary care to farmers in remote and underserved areas.

Officials said the mobile veterinary network will be connected to a central digital dashboard. The system will help authorities monitor services, oversee operations and manage the programme more effectively.

The project also includes mobile laboratories for testing milk quality. These units will allow on-site checks to identify adulteration and potentially harmful contaminants.

Speaking at the inauguration, Afridi said farmers should not be deprived of veterinary services because of their location. He said the programme would focus on both treating livestock and preventing diseases.

The chief minister said livestock provides income, nutrition and financial support to millions of families in the province. He added that bringing veterinary services closer to farmers could reduce the need for long-distance travel for animal treatment.