In a significant step towards enhancing veterinary healthcare, IAS officer Aditya Ranjan, currently posted as the Director of Animal Husbandry, Jharkhand, recently established the Adarsh Hospital in Hesag in Ranchi, the first-of-its-kind animal hospital in the state. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to providing round-the-clock medical services to animals.
Indian Masterminds spoke with the officer to learn more about this specialised healthcare facility for animals.
VISION FOR VETERINARY EDUCATION
In order to further veterinary education, the Jharkhand government established several animal hospitals in the state recently. After receiving feedback for scope of further improvement in an existing hospital during a field visit, Mr. Ranjan and team decided to turn it into a one-of-a-kind animal hospital packed with all facilities that one would find in a human hospital.
“We began by renovating the hospital and dividing the management in three branches – medical consultation, operation theatre, and a diagnostic centre. The operation theatre, equipped with all necessary equipment and surgery tools, is the first in the state and provides top notch treatment for animals that require surgeries. Similarly, the diagnostic centre is equipped with X-ray, sonography, and ultrasound machines, among other things for quick and accurate diagnosis of the patient animal,” the officer shared with Indian Masterminds.
NEED OF THE HOUR
What started as an experiment in a single hospital, proved to be so successful that the Jharkhand government is planning to replicate the initiative in the entire state to help the cattle rearers that include farmers.
Just like humans, animals also fall prey to sickness at odd hours. Sometimes, these animals fall to their knees in the middle of the night and the farmers do not know what to do. Keeping this in mind, the officer has also initiated a 24×7 helpline number through which the farmers or cattle rearers can connect with veterinary doctors, round the clock, and get their animals diagnosed.
“In cases where severe treatment or surgery is required, we ensure that the designated doctor arrives at the hospital, no matter what time of the day it is, and start the animal’s treatment as soon as possible,” shared Dr. Ranjan.
He further outlined the department’s ambitious plan to rejuvenate 100 hospitals across the state gradually, on the lines of the comprehensive arrangements made at Adarsh Hospital for surgeries and pathology services.
TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION
In order to spread awareness about the hospital, its facilities, and other such schemes provided by the administration for the well-being of farmers and their animals, he has also initiated a tele-medicine awareness programme.
The number provided under this programme helps the farmers to communicate their problems with the administration.
“We have also provided WhatsApp and video call facility on the number where the farmers can either call for diagnosis or share pictures and do video calls to give a proper idea of their animal’s condition to the doctors in charge,” Dr. Ranjan said.
CAPACITY BUILDING
In addition, to empower the doctors and keep them updated, a two-day training workshop was also held by the administration. The workshop, a first in the state, was conducted by experts from other states, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and skill enhancement. During the workshop, five veterinarians were honoured for their exemplary work using minimal resources.
FREE TREATMENT
The Adarsh Hospital is not only a hospital for big animals and cattle but it caters to even the smallest of animals. According to Dr. Ranjan, the hospital is open to all unprotected animals including tiny ones such as rabbits and turtles.
“The hospital is absolutely free of cost, including diagnosis, treatment and even surgeries,” he added.
The inauguration of Adarsh Hospital and the introduction of video call-based telemedicine represent a significant leap forward in veterinary healthcare in the state.
Underscoring the importance of staying technologically updated in the field, Secretary of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperation Department, Mr. Abu Bakar Siddiq highlighted the role of AI in modern treatments and the success of video call-based telemedicine initiative. At the same time, he urged prompt response to callers and encouraged the use of WhatsApp messages for effective communication.
