Push for return of Budaiya Vet Clinic with small service fee

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Councillors are rallying to reopen the Budaiya veterinary clinic with a new plan to charge a small service fee, which many see as a lifeline for local farms and a boost for Bahrain’s food security.

The reworked proposal aims to breathe life back into an earlier idea that had faced some resistance.

The original plan, proposed by Council member Mohammed Saad Al Doseri in a previous session, sought to reopen the only free veterinary clinic on Budaiya Highway, which closed in 2017.

Since the free clinic closed, livestock owners, like pet owners, have turned to private veterinary clinics, which they say are costly. After discussions between the Northern Municipal Council and livestock breeders, Northern Municipal Council Vice Chairperson Zainah Jassim Ali resubmitted the plan, this time with a small fee, as requested by the breeders.

The move is intended to keep food supplies steady and support livestock farming in the long run. It has now been forwarded to the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture for the next steps.

“Adding the small fee is meant to help with high costs and limited access to key medicines,” Al Doseri told The Daily Tribune.

“Private pharmacies hold a monopoly on certain drugs, which has driven up prices and made it difficult for livestock owners to obtain essential medicines.

By reopening this clinic, we’re not only addressing these monopolistic challenges but also ensuring that emergency treatment is available when it’s needed most.”

Supported by the Financial and Legal Committee, the plan was reviewed earlier this month. It aims to expand public services, bring in government funds, and provide essential care for animals.

The clinic would also offer regular check-ups and advice on breeding, ensuring steady support for livestock owners through the Veterinary Health Centre.

The reopened clinic could make livestock care affordable and accessible, addressing the current shortage of veterinary services while securing Bahrain’s food supply.

In response to concerns that the fees might discourage livestock owners from obtaining vaccinations, Zainah Jassim told The Daily Tribune, “The revised plan follows the breeders’ own requests and reflects their wishes.

Our goal is to preserve animal health and, by extension, Bahrain’s food security, ensuring access to quality care without prohibitive costs.”