Role of veterinary extension advisory and tele health services during COVID 19 pandemic period Chethan G N1, Senthilkumar R2, Bashir Bimal P2,*, Babu Anjali K2 1Ph.D Scholar, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad (Kerala) Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University 2Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad (Kerala) Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University *Corresponding Author's Email: bimalpbashirdrvet@gmail.com, bimal.bashir@kvasu.ac.in
Online published on 28 March, 2024. Abstract Advent in developments of communication technologies has benefited wide variety of sectors endlessly. These impacts have generously found towards veterinary health and extension advisory services also. Tele health service in veterinary sector has been existed even since before, but its prominence has been recognised during pandemic. A study was conducted about tele health and extension advisory services. The data were collected through semi structured interview schedule among randomly selected Senior Veterinary Surgeons and Project Coordinators from Department of Animal Husbandry, Kerala and analysed using descriptive statistics and rank order technique. The mean age and working experience of respondents were 52.23 and 26.73 years, respectively. Majority (70%) of respondents were male and possessed maximum educational qualification of B.V.Sc. & AH. Medicine cases (including emergencies), gynaecology & obstetrics and deworming & immunization were found to be most delivered among tele health services, followed by farm consultancy / advisory, Extension activities and livestock & products marketing were found to be next in its ranking. Majority of respondents had a less favourable followed by highly favourable attitude towards the extension advisory services during COVID-19 pandemic. Major constraints perceived to provide tele health services were, assessing animal health condition without physical examination and insufficient technical / network support for consultation. Most respondents opined that ensuring timely veterinary aid to animals along with tele health services, strengthening technical and network support and organising capacity building programme to overcome difficulties in providing tele health Services. The present finding depicted the importance of preparedness for future pandemic crises and also helps to develop strategies to improve the access to veterinary health and extension advisories. Top Keywords Animal, Extension, Health, Livestock, Tele health, Veterinary. Top |