The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore has started construction work on Training Centre for Biologics Production on its Ravi Campus Pattoki.
Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Punjab, Asif Saeed Manais inaugurated the construction by performing groundbreaking while Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha , Project Director Professor Dr Khushi Muhammad, Deans, senior faculty members and officials were also present. The training centre will be completed in 3 years at an estimated cost of Rs 398.920 million.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that vaccine production is very necessary to prevent fatal foot and mouth disease. "Timely and quality vaccination is the only way to prevent diseases like FMD and this centre is a step forward in this direction," he said and urged creating awareness among poor farmers about importance of vaccination and preventive measures. He stressed that the UVAS and the Livestock and Dairy Development Department must work together as one team to better the lot of the poor farmers. The minister directed timely completion of the project so that vaccines could be made available to farmers for their every single animal.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha briefed the minister on the Ravi Campus of the university and the Training Centre for Biologics Production. He said that the centre will initially have the capacity of producing 4 to 5 million doses of vaccines every year while its capacity will be enhanced up to 70 million in future. "The bioreactor facility, which is first type of its kind in Pakistan, is being installed at the centre for the mass production of vaccines for prevention of deadly foot and mouth disease (FMD)," the Vice-Chancellor said.