Members of the Gambia Veterinary Council have called for the revitalisation of the Council so as to ensure that the profession performs its effective role in making both the animal and human population healthier.

The veterinarians made the call on Monday during an audience with the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, at State House. They were at State Hose to acquaint the vice president about the role and functions of the Council, as well as to highlight their constraints with a view making the Council more productive and effective.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the meeting with the VP, the registrar of the Council, Dr Bakary Nyambi Touray, disclosed that the Council was set up since 2000. He said that a lot of people don't know about its existence.

"So, we deem it necessary to come to the Vice President's Office and brief her about the Council, the Act and its roles and functions. The main roles of the Council are to regulate veterinary practice and to uphold standards of veterinary medicine throughout the country. We also make sure registered members of the Council are updated with regards to information and technology in the field of veterinary services," he explained.

Dr Touray made it clear that the Council is here to support and make sure services are up to standard and made available throughout the country. He stated that veterinary services is key to public health taking into account that a lot of diseases are transferable and acquired from the animal population to the human population.

He added that the most important aspect of their work is that by implementing good veterinary services, one is increasing animal production. He also pointed out the fact that once animal production is increased, more milk and eggs will be available and these will in turn increase meat production to further enhance nutrition in the human population.