Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development of Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom at the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department's 2023 Appreciation Ceremony at Hotel Raia, Kuching, last night. Photo: TVS
KUCHING, Nov 13: The increasing rabies cases in Sarawak require early prevention measures and be given serious attention to prevent the outbreak from becoming more difficult to control.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said that cooperation from all responsible parties play an important role in reducing the rate of rabies cases.
"We need cooperation from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), dog lovers, dog owners and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) community. This is because the rabies epidemic is not something we can take lightly.
"As soon as you are bitten by a dog, you must seek medical treatment because rabies can be treated and prevented," he said when speaking at the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department's 2023 Appreciation Ceremony at the Raia Hotel here, last night.
He further explained that in an effort to combat the alarming increase in cases, his ministry is currently in discussions to establish a Veterinary Medicine Center at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Sarawak in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
"Since 2017, the first case of rabies until now means that the measures we have taken are not successful enough to prevent the rabies epidemic. What we need to do is find a way by adopting new technology and new ways to prevent this rabies epidemic.
Also present, the Director of the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.
The Sarawak Veterinary Services Department 2023 Appreciation Ceremony also witnessed the presentation of outstanding service awards to staff.
