Punjab Livestock Diagnostic Facilities Get Major Upgrade

By Muhammad Luqman

Punjab is taking major steps to improve animal health by expanding and modernising diagnostic facilities for livestock. The goal is to detect diseases early and manage them more effectively across the province.

Modern Equipment for Veterinary Hospitals

Dr. Haider Ali Khan, Director at the Punjab Livestock Department, told this reporter that 133 ultrasound machines will be provided to tehsil-level veterinary hospitals in all 41 districts. In addition, 10 portable X-ray machines will be sent to divisional veterinary hospitals to strengthen their diagnostic services.

Phased Upgrades for Better Animal Care

He explained that veterinary hospitals and dispensaries are being upgraded in phases. This will improve their ability to diagnose and manage livestock diseases quickly and efficiently.

Punjab’s Large Livestock Population

Currently, Punjab runs 2,508 veterinary treatment facilities, including 754 civil veterinary hospitals, 1,754 dispensaries, 202 mobile veterinary dispensaries, and 43 mobile veterinary laboratories.

According to the 7th Agricultural Census 2024, the province has over 104 million animals, including 16.9 million cattle, 14.2 million buffaloes, 13.3 million sheep, and 31.3 million goats.

FMD-Free Zones and Export Potential

Dr. Haider Ali Khan also said that district and divisional hospitals will get modern surgical theatres, ultrasonography units, and portable X-ray systems. He revealed that 15 Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free compartments are being developed to ensure meat from Punjab meets international health standards.

“These FMD-free zones will improve livestock health and reduce production losses,” he said. “They will also help Punjab’s meat exports access food-deficient markets in the Middle East.”

Experts Highlight Challenges Ahead

Livestock experts welcomed the upgrades but warned that the new facilities still cover only a small part of Punjab’s vast livestock population.

Dr. Irshad Muhammad Khan, former professor at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, said common diseases affecting cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats include FMD, Lumpy Skin Disease, Hemorrhagic Septicemia, tick-borne illnesses, Enterotoxemia, Caprine Pleuropneumonia, and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).

“Many veterinary hospitals and dispensaries still lack enough medicines and diagnostic tools to treat these diseases,” he said, pointing out that this causes major economic losses and hardships for small livestock farmers.

Veterinary specialists also stressed the importance of building advanced diagnostic laboratories at the district level to avoid “hit-and-trial” treatment practices.

“At present, the only modern public-sector diagnostic labs are at UVAS Lahore and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad,” said Dr. Wasif Umair, a veterinary pathologist running a private lab in Lahore. “Most farmers cannot afford private testing, so district-level public diagnostic labs must be a top priority in Punjab’s future plans.”

Author Profile

Muhammad Luqman: Muhammad Luqman is an experienced journalist specializing in agriculture, livestock, and rural development in Pakistan.

He writes insightful reports on government initiatives, economic potential, and policy impacts in the agriculture and livestock sectors, highlighting how local programs shape livelihoods and boost national and international markets.