There has been perennial shortage of vets in Fiji due to no veterinary training institutes before 2014

There has been a perennial shortage of veterinarians in Fiji as there was no veterinary training institute in the region until the Fiji National University created one in 2014, on request by the Fijian Government.

This was highlighted by the Fiji National University when questioned by fijivillage News on the shortage of vets and accreditation of vet programs in Fiji.

FNU says the creation of the veterinary program was a laudable initiative and would probably require regional and international support to be sustainable as it is a very expensive program.

They say universities in Fiji are self-accrediting the vet programs, which are recorded by the Fiji Higher Education Commission.

However, in the case of the veterinary degree, it would require recognition of FNU by the Ministry of Agriculture, as a trainer of veterinary students since FNU was recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture.

FNU says they have worked steadily with the Ministry of Agriculture to secure the registration of vet graduates and has its in-house registered veterinary academics with a good combination of clinical experience.

FNU graduates are currently working for organizations such as Rooster Chicken, Crest, SPCA, Animals Fiji, private clinics, and other livestock producers around the country, in para-veterinary roles who are happy with the performance of the graduates and would want them to be registered.