POULTRYINDONESIA, South Jakarta — The Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI) held a Syawalan and Halalbihalal gathering in Jakarta on Saturday (April 18). The event served as a platform to strengthen ties while reinforcing a shared commitment to supporting the development of the national livestock and animal health sectors.
In remarks from the Director General of Livestock and Animal Health (PKH), delivered by drh. Baiq Yunita Arisandi, it was emphasized that veterinarians play a strategic and irreplaceable role in national development.
Beyond focusing on treatment, the profession is also crucial in preventing infectious animal diseases, overseeing food safety, and protecting the public from zoonotic threats.
“Moreover, the availability of safe, healthy, whole, and halal animal-based food is a key factor in supporting food security. In this regard, veterinarians play a role in maintaining livestock health while ensuring that products such as meat, milk, and eggs meet quality and food safety standards,” she stated.
Amid various challenges—ranging from infectious animal diseases, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, to limited human resources—the government encourages stronger collaboration and enhanced professionalism among all stakeholders, including veterinarians.
At the same event, the Chairman of the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PB PDHI), Dr. drh. M. Munawaroh, stressed that animal health issues cannot be addressed individually. According to her, such challenges must be handled in an integrated manner, requiring collaboration from all parties.
She highlighted that the Syawalan and Halalbihalal gathering is an important moment to strengthen unity and align efforts among stakeholders.
“We cannot move forward individually; we must remain united because animal health is our shared responsibility as a profession. Equally important is strengthening collaboration among professional organizations, the government, academia, and industry partners to advance the animal health sector,” she said.
She also addressed several key challenges facing the profession, particularly the push for establishing laws on veterinary education and services, as well as revising Law No. 18 of 2009. According to her, this is essential given that the veterinary profession in Indonesia has long developed but still lacks a strong and comprehensive legal framework.
On the other hand, she expressed hope that all elements will continue to maintain organizational solidarity and improve professional quality. “We hope that PDHI will become stronger, more professional, and able to make a tangible contribution to society in the future,” she concluded.
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