MP wants medical aid for animals

MEDICAL aid service providers have been urged to come up with a scheme to enable people to take out affordable medical insurance for their animal companions.

This call was made by the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council, Margaret Mensah-Williams, during debate on the second reading of the Medical and Related Substances Amendment Bill in the House of Review yesterday. “I think another contributing fact for the ill health of animals is because veterinary services are very expensive,” she said.The Swapo MP said this was a very important bill since medicine was vital for all living creatures, not only people.”Therefore, this amendment is seeking to ensure that substances related to medicines are controlled in the best interest of animals, since they need to be protected,” said Mensah-Williams.She said people who make animals suffer by not feeding them, not giving them a clean and healthy place to live and not giving them the necessary medical treatment, should not be allowed to keep pets.”Just like humans, they are entitled to love and care.Maybe we should look at a law regulating the keeping of animals and make it stricter,” Mensah-Williams told the House.She also wants traditional healers to be recognised by law and registered under a legal authority, as their services complement those provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.But, she said, the conduct of traditional healers should be controlled to ensure that they provide quality services to protect their patients.”A legally recognised council or a traditional healers’ body should register and monitor the services that are provided to ensure that these services are not harmful or have contra-indications that compromise the health of individuals,” she added.”I think another contributing fact for the ill health of animals is because veterinary services are very expensive,” she said.The Swapo MP said this was a very important bill since medicine was vital for all living creatures, not only people.”Therefore, this amendment is seeking to ensure that substances related to medicines are controlled in the best interest of animals, since they need to be protected,” said Mensah-Williams.She said people who make animals suffer by not feeding them, not giving them a clean and healthy place to live and not giving them the necessary medical treatment, should not be allowed to keep pets. “Just like humans, they are entitled to love and care.Maybe we should look at a law regulating the keeping of animals and make it stricter,” Mensah-Williams told the House.She also wants traditional healers to be recognised by law and registered under a legal authority, as their services complement those provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.But, she said, the conduct of traditional healers should be controlled to ensure that they provide quality services to protect their patients.”A legally recognised council or a traditional healers’ body should register and monitor the services that are provided to ensure that these services are not harmful or have contra-indications that compromise the health of individuals,” she added.