Livestock plays a crucial role in India’s economy and culture, with millions of animals being reared for various purposes. However, the country faces challenges in providing adequate veterinary care due to a shortage of veterinary institutions and professionals. To address this issue, NITI Aayog has introduced advisory guidelines for livestock telemedicine in India, aiming to leverage technology to enhance veterinary services.
NITIVeT: Bridging the Gap
The NITIVeT (National Information Technology for Integrated Veterinary Telemedicine) portal serves as the backbone of livestock telemedicine in India. The portal assigns unique user IDs to Registered Veterinary Practitioners (RVPs) and animal keepers, facilitating real-time communication within their districts. The system enables telemedicine consultations, encompassing text, audio, or video calls for evaluation, examination, and recommendations.
Mandatory Consent and Emergency Situations
One of the crucial aspects of the advisory guidelines is the requirement for mandatory consent from animal keepers for telemedicine consultations. This ensures that the privacy and consent of the animal’s owner are respected during the consultation process.
Moreover, the framework grants RVPs immunity from penalties in cases where they are unable to establish a veterinarian-client-animal relationship during emergency telemedicine consultations. This exemption recognizes the challenges of providing immediate assistance in critical situations and encourages RVPs to offer prompt care without fear of legal repercussions.
Limitations and Exclusions
While livestock telemedicine offers numerous benefits, the guidelines also outline certain limitations. Telemedicine cannot be used for tasks like licensing of pets, trauma certificates, quarantine clearance, fitness certificates, birth/death certificates, and euthanasia. Such tasks require in-person physical examinations and specific procedures that telemedicine cannot replace.
Addressing Veterinary Infrastructure Shortage
India faces a considerable shortage of veterinary institutions and veterinarians, with approximately 41,000 professionals catering to an estimated livestock population of about 53.58 crores. According to the National Commission on Agriculture norms (1976), one veterinary doctor or institution is required for every 5,000 animals. However, the current ratio is far from meeting this standard, resulting in limited access to veterinary care for many animals.
Role of Livestock Telemedicine
Livestock telemedicine emerges as a promising solution to address the scarcity of veterinary services in the country. The NITIVeT web-based system provides a platform for animal keepers to seek medical advice and guidance from RVPs remotely. This enhances the efficiency of the existing veterinary infrastructure by reducing the burden on physical clinics and practitioners.
Benefits of Livestock Telemedicine
- Faster Healthcare Access: Telemedicine ensures that animals receive timely medical attention, reducing the risk of complications and improving their overall well-being. Animal keepers can access veterinary care without the need to travel long distances, saving time and resources.
- Reduced Financial Burden: Livestock telemedicine helps reduce the financial burden on animal keepers. By minimizing the need for physical visits and streamlining healthcare delivery, the cost of veterinary services is likely to decrease.
- Efficiency and One Health Vision: The implementation of livestock telemedicine aligns with the vision of “One Nation One Health.” Improved veterinary care for animals also contributes to a healthier environment and safeguards against the spread of zoonotic diseases.