Ajuong Machiek Malek
The neglect of animal health directly impacts public health, economic productivity, and the environment. Yet, the government and relevant stakeholders have not given this sector the attention and support it desperately needs.
My personal journey as a veterinary student at the University of Juba has opened my eyes to the severe challenges in this field, challenges that not only affect students but also put the entire nation at risk.
When I joined the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Juba, I was excited to learn, to serve, and to contribute to the health of animals and, by extension, the people of South Sudan. However, what I found was deeply discouraging. The school lacked the most basic facilities needed to train future veterinarians. There were no proper tools for practical learning, the laboratories were either non-functional or missing altogether, and the university library was empty of relevant books and updated scientific material. The lecture halls were overcrowded and uncomfortable, making it difficult to focus or engage in meaningful discussion.
Despite all these obstacles, our professors do their best. They are knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to their work. However, they are not paid on time, they lack motivation and support from the government, and many work under very difficult conditions. Without motivation and resources, even the best educators cannot deliver the quality of training required to produce competent professionals. This directly affects the quality of veterinary graduates who are expected to care for the country’s animals and protect the people from animal-borne diseases.
Students are also struggling. Most come from poor backgrounds and cannot afford the high tuition fees charged by the university. Without proper financial support, many are forced to drop out or fail simply because they cannot afford textbooks, transportation, or basic living expenses. This is heartbreaking because these students carry the hope of improving animal health in their communities. Their failure is a national loss.
The government’s lack of priority for animal welfare is troubling. Animals contribute immensely to the South Sudanese economy. Cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry are sources of meat, milk, hides, and income. However, little to no support is provided to ensure their proper care. There are no training farms for students to gain hands-on experience. There are no veterinary hospitals where students can do internships or clinical rotations. There are no national vaccination campaigns for dogs, cats, and livestock, and very few public education programs on animal health.
In rural areas such as Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, and parts of Equatoria, the situation is worse. Animals die every day due to poor management, lack of veterinary services, and absence of proper medications. Diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis, rabies, and tuberculosis—many of which can be transmitted to humans—go undetected and untreated. This puts the entire population at risk. According to global health statistics, over 70% of new infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. In South Sudan, where meat inspection is not properly carried out, the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks is extremely high.
There have been instances where meat sold in the markets came from sick animals because there were no proper checks or veterinary certification. Who is responsible for ensuring that the meat we eat is safe? How can we claim to protect public health while ignoring the health of the animals we consume? The connection between animal health and human health is undeniable and must be addressed urgently.
The government must take immediate steps to improve veterinary education and animal welfare. This includes:
- Investing in veterinary schools by building laboratories, libraries, lecture halls, and demonstration farms.
- Paying and motivating professors so that they can focus on training the next generation of veterinarians.
- Providing scholarships or subsidies for students from poor backgrounds to ensure that no one is denied education due to poverty.
- Establishing veterinary hospitals where students can do internships and the public can access quality animal health services.
- Launching national animal health campaigns such as regular vaccination drives and public education on the importance of animal welfare.
- Creating laws and policies that protect animals from abuse, neglect, and preventable diseases.
The future of South Sudan depends not only on its people but also on the animals that support their livelihoods. A healthy animal population means a healthier, wealthier nation. We must wake up to this reality and start investing in animal welfare and veterinary education before it is too late. Let us value the lives of animals as we do humans—because in the end, our lives are more connected than we think.
Thank for reading, “committed to truth, driven by love for my nation “.