Arunachal gets first State Veterinary Polyclinic in Itanagar

In a landmark step for animal healthcare in the state, Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday inaugurated its first- ever State Veterinary Polyclinic at Itanagar. The facility was jointly inaugurated by Gabriel D Wangsu, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development, and Manish Kumar Gupta, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

Established as a modern, multidisciplinary centre, the State Veterinary Polyclinic has been designed to bridge a long-standing gap in specialised veterinary services for companion animals in the Itanagar Capital Region and adjoining districts. Speaking at the event, Minister Wangsu said the polyclinic reflects the Government’s commitment to “strengthen veterinary infrastructure, promote responsible pet ownership, and ensure animal welfare is treated as an integral part of public health.”

He added that with rising pet ownership in urban areas, access to advanced diagnostics, surgery and emergency care was no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta described the inauguration as “a significant milestone” in the State’s healthcare roadmap. “This facility will not only treat animals, but will also play a crucial role in disease surveillance and prevention at the human-animal interface,” he said.

The polyclinic will offer comprehensive services under one roof: preventive care, diagnostics, treatment, surgical procedures, and 24x7 emergency veterinary services. It will also function as the nodal centre for the scientific management of stray dogs in the Capital region.

Key components include Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, mass anti-rabies vaccination drives, sterilisation camps, and systematic disease surveillance.

Officials said the initiative aligns with the national “One Health” approach, which recognises the link between human health, animal health, and the environment.

By controlling zoonotic diseases such as rabies at the source and ensuring humane management of the stray dog population, the polyclinic is expected to contribute to safer communities directly. The Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development stated that trained veterinary surgeons, para-vets, and support staff have been deployed, and the centre is equipped with modern operation theatres, diagnostic labs, and isolation wards.

Animal welfare groups and pet owners in Itanagar welcomed the move, calling it “long overdue.” With this facility, Arunachal joins a growing list of States investing in dedicated urban veterinary infrastructure.

The Government has indicated plans to replicate the model in other district headquarters in phases.