Shimla, June 1 (IANS): In a first, the Himachal Pradesh government this month is launching a five-year veterinary "hospital on wheels" to provide on-site treatment to injured and sick livestock, Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar said on Wednesday.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs 704 lakh in this fiscal for setting up a Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVUs) for livestock and migratory sheep for eradication of veterinary diseases.

The MVUs will have a hydraulic lift to shift animals to the government hospital in case of emergency, said the minister.

The Animal Husbandry Department is establishing 24x7 veterinary telemedicine facility with a toll-free number 1962 similar to 108 ambulance services.

The ambulance service will be run on public private partnership mode under which the government will hire a private agency to operate and provide the services.

A total of 44 mobile ambulances clinics will be placed at block levels in the initial phase.

One veterinary doctor and one para-veterinary worker will be assigned to every ambulance. The ambulance will be stationed at strategic locations to minimize travelling time.

This is the first state-wide facility for animals, equipped and customised for their treatment of injured and sick animals.

As per 2019 census, the state supports 437,8757 livestock that experiences loss in milk production, decreased wool production, loss of drought power and delayed maturity due to livestock diseases because of large-scale inter-state migration.

As per the government, around 4 lakh livestock is likely to be benefitted with the ambulance service each year.

This facility can be a game-changer as tough geographical and topographical conditions in the state makes it difficult to provide timely treatment.