ADDIS ABABA (AAU) – Addis Ababa University (AAU) College of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad Project inaugurate (SPANA) inaugurated the newly built equine hospital on 4 December 2019 at the College’s Campus in Debre Zeit (Bishoftu), Oromia Region.
According to Dr. Hanna Zewdu, SPANA Project in Ethiopia Manager, SPANA is a UK-based international animal welfare charity founded in 1923. She said, “SPANA is passionate about the protection and care of working animals that include donkeys, horses, mules and camels of the world including Ethiopia.”
“The [SPANA project in Ethiopia] was established in March 2003 by a joint collaboration between SPANA and the College of Veterinary Medicine of AAU. The project now operates in 10 towns and also it provides services to other towns,” Dr. Hanna briefed.
Dr. Hanna also add, the new equine hospital is well equipped in medical apparatus and medicines as well, and the situation is very good to enhance the services to the community.
Next to the manager Dr. Teferi Abebe, SPANA Country Director, in his speech said the Project’s role in Ethiopia has been significant and the newly built hospital also energizes their service to the community.
Dr. Fikru Regassa Gari, Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine, in his speech underlined on SPANA’s project and its collaboration.
“The project has become huge effort to the Community service. The community service is one of the college’s core function and the Hospital also maximizes our services to the community” Dr. Fikru noted.
Representative of Bishoftu’s Municipality and other guests of honor attended the inauguration ceremony.
Ethiopia is a country with over 2.5 million horses. The number of working equines and camels in Ethiopia is estimate to be 12.2 million. There are struggles with both poverty and severe climatic events. The new equine hospital in Debre Zeit expected to play a major role in animal’s welfare.
SPANA has one very busy veterinary clinic in Debre Zeit and two mobile clinics, treating over 11,000 animals in Ethiopia each year. SPANA also has three classrooms and an education center. Teachers reach over 7,500 children annually with lessons on animal welfare.