Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Veterinary civil action programs in Afghanistan: pros, cons, and how.
- Journal:
- U.S. Army Medical Department journal
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- McCoy, Jessica
- Affiliation:
- 405th Civil Affairs Battalion
Plain-English summary
Veterinary civic action programs (VETCAPs) are temporary clinics set up by military veterinarians to help treat local livestock in Afghanistan. These programs have been used effectively by military leaders since 2001 to support their operations. However, some veterinary organizations believe that VETCAPs may harm the long-term veterinary services in the country. A study conducted from March 2006 to February 2007 aimed to measure how these programs impact local veterinary care and to find ways to achieve military goals without negatively affecting the veterinary infrastructure. The findings suggest that while VETCAPs can provide immediate help, they may also create challenges for sustainable veterinary practices in the region.
Abstract
Veterinary civic action programs (VETCAPs) are short-term clinics that are conducted by military veterinarians to treat the local livestock. They are used successfully by military commanders and provincial reconstruction team leaders to prepare the battlefield for further engagements. Hundreds of VETCAPs have been conducted in Afghanistan since 2001. However, veterinary-focused, nongovernmental organizations working in Afghanistan contend that these programs decrease the sustainability of the veterinary infrastructure throughout the country. This paper presents a study conducted from March 2006 through February 2007 which seeks to quantify the effect of veterinary civic action programs on the local veterinary infrastructure in Afghanistan, and determine ways in which the military objective may be obtained while causing least damage to the veterinary infrastructure.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20084755/