EQUINE | SAVC News
The Role of Animal Health
Technicians
Animal health technicians [AHTs] play an important role in the animal
health sector (both in public- [government] and in private sectors). AHTs
fulfil a critical role as they are responsible for primary animal health care
[PAHC] and extension to resource poor communities and they are mainly
responsible for animal health related duties [disease surveillance] under
the Animal Disease Act, Act 35 of 1984.
William Kutu
Councillor (AHT Representative)
DUTIES OF AN ANIMAL HEALTH
TECHNICIAN
The main duties of an animal health technician are to
ensure a healthy, productive and reproductive livestock
and animalpopulation in South Africa by means of the
following:
• prevent, control and eradicate animal diseases
through disease investigation;
• sampling, collecting & evaluating epidemiological
data
• implementing sound animal health strategies;
• veterinary extension; and
• primary animal health care activities.
AHTs are trained to deal with challenges facing both
animal- and human diseases.
QUALIFICATIONS
SECTOR
AND
EMPLOYMENT
AHTs are the holders of amongst other qualifications
• Diploma Animal Health
• National Diploma Animal Health
• B.Sc., Agric. (Animal Health)
• B.Tech Animal Health
• Masters degrees
• PhDs
AHTs are mostly employed in state veterinary services
BACKGROUND
The animal health sector is faced with, amongst
others, challenges which impact negatively on food
security and safety of the country:
• The rise in emerging [new] flood of infectious
• Volume 20 Issue 1 | April 2018 •
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