COVID-19 pandemic: A lockdown experience with veterinary tele-health services in Kashmir

MUJEEB R FAZILI; AZMAT A KHAN; NOORE A TUFANI; RIYAZ A BHAT; MOHAMMED IQBAL YATOO; GHULAM RASOOL BHAT; SHAHID H DAR; MEHRAJUDDIN NAIKOO; HAMID ULLAH MALIK; MOHAMMED ASHRAF PAUL

doi:10.56093/ijans.v92i3.122277

Authors

MUJEEB R FAZILI Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
AZMAT A KHAN Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
NOORE A TUFANI Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
RIYAZ A BHAT Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
MOHAMMED IQBAL YATOO Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
GHULAM RASOOL BHAT Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
SHAHID H DAR Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
MEHRAJUDDIN NAIKOO Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
HAMID ULLAH MALIK Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India
MOHAMMED ASHRAF PAUL Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir 190 006 India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v92i3.122277

Keywords:

Cattle, Dairy, Kashmir, Telehealth, Telemedicine, Veterinary

Abstract

Telehealth facility was launched to extend veterinary services throughout Kashmir valley. It was also desired for continuation of veterinary internship during the COVID-19 lock-down period. A total of 714 response forms were received from the participating veterinary faculty of clinical disciplines in six months. The majority (n=504, 70.6%) of the cases pertained to the dairy cattle. Thirty per cent (n=9/30) of the designated specialists participated. The tele-health facility was availed by interns (44.25%), farmers/animal owners (36.51%), field veterinarians (15.28%) and the para-veterinarians (3.97%) in significantly decreasing order. Telephone mobile calls, WhatsApp messages (text, photos and videos), and the SMS text messages were the platforms used. The animals with medical problems (67.66%) were significantly more than those showing gynaecological (18.25%) and surgical (14.09%) ailments. More than half (52.58%) of the cases were reported from the nearby three districts. The remaining (47.42%) animal owners resided in rest of the seven districts. Most of the complaints pertained to skin and appendages (27.18%), alimentary (25.79%) and reproductive tract (18.25%) in the affected cattle respectively. Udder and teat affections, metabolic diseases, and repeat breeding were tentatively diagnosed in majority of the cows. From this preliminary study, it is concluded that the veterinary telehealth service can reach far-off places and education can be continued amidst lockdown period. Short duration and lack of the follow up details are the weakness of this study. Additionally, more veterinary specialists need be persuaded to participate in telehealth modality.

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