VN August 2022

Vetnuus | August 2022 2 I also had the opportunity to visit the Gent Faculty of Veterinary Science and engage with a former colleague now practising in London, and the previous Surgeon General of the BelgiumDefence Force. The engagements gave me new perspectives on the changing world of veterinary science and strongly confirmed the global village we live and function in, especially in the veterinary domain. The dire veterinary shortages are not only a SouthAfrican phenomenon but are as bad in Europe, if not worse.The same factors are being debated. Is it a shortage of training opportunities? Are the student selection in linewith industry expectations? Can students afford the cost of their studies?Why do graduates not want to work in particular environments; is it a matter of over-control?What is done to retain veterinarians by the various employment sectors? Is it remuneration? Must the universities increase student numbers? Is there a bigger need for veterinarians? Is there an increase in patient numbers? Does the scope of work increase? Should other para-veterinary professions play amore important role in delivering veterinary services? Do Clients have unreasonable expectations? We feel the burden evenmore in South Africa, with numerous other countries recruiting our veterinarians. It is time for proper research to identify the underlying reasons for the shortages of qualified veterinarians. Factors that will have to be addressed are: what is the need (state veterinary services, private, industry and other sectors such as food safety and security); is the net inflow and outflow positive or negative; if negative, as experienced, is it an undersupply or bad retention; if an undersupply, how is it going to be addressed (Second Faculty); if however, if it is due to retention, what are the driving forces (Financial/Opportunities/Personal Circumstances/Over Regulation/Scope creep/Support systems/Client expectations/Increase patient load); what can be done tomitigate the driving forces (Government/SAVC/SAVA/Veterinarians/Industry/Community). Before a comprehensive investigation is not undertaken, mitigating procedures and actions cannot be devised. On top of the veterinary shortages, the scourge of emerging and re-emerging diseases is raising its ugly head worldwide, putting more strain on veterinary resources. Duringmymonth-long visit toBelgium, the cheese industry battledwith Listeriosis, whereas theworld's largest chocolate factory was closed down due to Salmonellosis, seriously impacting Belgium's economy. The principles of One Health will have to be entrenched in all health- related fields. We, as SAVA, will have to play a leading role in transforming the veterinary landscape and ensure veterinary policies and procedures support the needs of the day, be it for small animals, production animals, wildlife, exotic animals or food safety and security in cities or rural areas alike. Let us start to engage and debate the issues that can positively influence the future, not grabbing at short-term solutions that do not address the underlying causes. v Paul van der Merwe From the President Dear members, I had the privilege to visit Belgium and Germany for the past month. In Belgium, I stayed with a good friend, the previous Chief of Veterinary Services of the Belgium Defence Force and currently a member of the Gent Veterinary Order, a structure very similar to our SA Veterinary Council. 24-Hour, Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 21 21 21