Syed NajmiAlam, Provincial Advisor for Livestock, chaired a Board of Directors meeting at the Sindh Institute of Animal Health, where several key projects were approved following the discussion of various agendas. One of the major approvals was the preparation of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine, which will now advance through various development stages.
NajmiAlam emphasized the need for separate research funds, highlighting the current shortfall, and urged the department to be proactive in conducting research.
The meeting also approved the development of a vaccine for dog bites, along with other essential vaccines. He instructed the department to work diligently on these projects and ensure they pass all laboratory stages before final approval. NajmiAlam stated that once these vaccines are market-ready, the Sindh Institute of Animal Health could become the sole organization capable of exporting them.
He further directed the department to provide monthly updates on the progress of vaccine development and announced that Sindh aims to be free of FMD by June 2025. Additionally, he called for the formulation of a 20-year breeding policy.
The vaccines developed by the Sindh Institute of Animal Health will undergo quality checks by private companies, with June 2025 set as the final deadline for controlling foot-and-mouth disease in the region.
