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Veterinary Association of Namibia (VAN)

P.O. Box 296
Windhoek
Namibia

President: Dr. Alexander Toto

WSAVA Representative
Dr. Michael Beggs
drbeggs@mweb.com.na

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Brief history of Veterinary Association of Namibia

In 1947 the South West Africa Branch of the South African Veterinary Medical Association (SAVA) was established. Regular meetings were held and by the end of the 1960�s these meetings took the form of a scientific congress with the main aim to provide a forum for continuing education. In 1984 the SWA Branch of the SAVA was dissolved and became the Veterinary Association of Namibia (VAN). Although the VAN is a voluntary association, almost all veterinarians in Namibia are members. The association is recognized as the representative body of the veterinary profession in Namibia and hence the VAN nominates one of its members to represent the Association on the Veterinary Council of Namibia. In 1987 the VAN became a full member of the World Veterinary Association and in 1990 a full member of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association.

Minutes of the 26th Annual General Meeting of the Veterinary Association of Namibia

Held on 21 October 2009 at Agra Conference Centre, Windhoek
1. Opening

The meeting opened at 17H35 with the President, Dr M. Beggs (MB) welcoming the members.

2. Attendance list
The following members signed the attendance register:
Drs Athingo, Bamhare, Beggs, Chitate, Du Preez (Vice President SAVA), Gavhumende, Gorejena, Harvey, Hassel, Hemberger, Hikufe, Hilbert, Kähler, Kapapero, Kaseke, Kephas, Kleber, Lichtenberg, Madzingira, Magwedere, Marais, Maseke, Menne, Miller, Mkandawire, Reuter, Sajeni, Samkange, Schmidt-Dumont, Schneider, Shoombe, Spaeth, Ssengoye, Stam, Thalwitzer, Toto, Voigts A, Voigts B, Winterbach.

3. Apologies
Apologies were received from the following members:
Drs Basson, Beeker, Hartmann, Meyer, Rodenwoldt, Van Wyk, Zapke

4. Finalization of Agenda
There were no additions to the Agenda.

5. Minutes of 25th AGM held on 24th October 2008 at Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre.
The minutes of the 25th AGM were accepted.
Proposed by Dr . Hilbert, seconded by Dr . Marais.

6. Matters arising from these minutes
6 (15.4) Acts
• Dr. Kaehler suggested that the minutes of the AGM should be circulated latest 1 month after the AGM. (MB) commented that the minutes were sent fairly soon after the AGM, small delay caused by reports not having been handed to the VAN secretary in time.
6 (12) Namibian Veterinary clinician’s forum
• There have been no activities, hence was taken off the agenda
• CPD’s have been taken over by VAN Exco
17.3 Disease reporting private vets
• The forms have been designed
• State Vets will send them to Private Vets
• Private vets to report back to State Vets on monthly basis

7. The Presidents report
(MB) presented the presidents report.
A discussion evolved as it was announced that Para Veterinarians are to be registered with Vet Council. Dr. Kaehler suggested that vets receive a list of all the registered Para Veterinarians, to help identify individuals not registered.
Dr. Reuter also commented that South African vets enter Namibia during game capture season, working without being registered at Vet Council. Dr. Du Preez (Vice President SAVA) promised to address this issue in the Vet News. Vet Council should work together with home affairs in this regard. Foreign vets at endurance rides are only allowed to be line vets, they are not allowed to take x-rays, pre-purchase exams etc.

8. Financial Matters
8.1 Annual Financial Report
• Dr. R Hassel noted that the income has decreased and the expenses increased, leading to a reduced surplus
• Around N$ 6 000 was spent in form of bursaries. The money collected at Dr. Huebschle’s funeral together with the VAN donation amounted to N$ 10 000 and was handed to Dr. S Khaiseb
• Twice as much money was spent on CPD events, compared to last year. That was money well spent.
• Pfizer sponsorship for the bull breeding CPD has not been received yet (Dr. Spaeth enquired).
• Rent has increased in comparison with last financial year, as the office has only been rented for a few months last financial year. In future VAN might share an office with VCN, reducing the rental expense.

8.2 Recommended Fees List
• VCN to take over fees list in future
• Dr. Du Preez explained that in South Africa the SA competition commission informed SAVA that the association may not determine fees, but a statutory body should (min and max fees). Dr. Spaeth enquired whether the competition commission is applicable in Namibia. He also commented that a min-max fee list is a good idea.
• A 10% increase was decided upon. Proposed by Dr. Spaeth and seconded by Dr. Sajeni.
• There has been no standardization for State Vet fees yet as treasury has not approved . At the moment State Vets make use of the VAN fees.
• Dr. Spaeth noted that Exco asked SPCA to go to Private Vets for fees discussions. (MB) explained that Exco was not willing to drop SPCA fees, but that the Private Vets could decide to drop their fees. Dr. Winterbach commented that the SPCA in Swakopmund gives the owners a voucher of a specific amount which the owners then take to Private Vet to get their animal spayed/castrated, vaccinated etc.

8.3 Membership Fees 2009/2010
• A 10% increase as at 1st July 2010 as been suggested (currently N$ 530)
• Proposed by Dr. Reuter and seconded by Dr. Spaeth

9. Matters relating to the Veterinary Council of Namibia
Dr. A Voigts read his report.
Dr. Marais reported back about meetings she attended in Arusha and Paris. In future council exams might be handled different. Plans are to hold one exam for the entire SADC region, a computer exam (all at the same time). The practical exam would then be held in the country where the individual would like to work.

10. Matters relating to the Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)
Dr. Miller read his report.
(MB) asked Dr. Miller to investigate the option of a Library for the VAN website.
Dr. Schneider commented on Books for Africa. Saying that it is old and obsolete as there is the internet. He thinks that the CVA is of no value to Namibia. Exco and the councilor to sit together and to discuss the future of this membership.

11. Matters relating to the World Veterinary Association (WVA)
The secretariat has shifted to Brussels.
Vet 2011 (250 years ago founding of the veterinary profession), Namibia to be part of that (Dr. Marais has the communication).
Dr. Du Preez also mentioned that 2011 the WVA Congress will be held in RSA (October).

12. World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
Dr. Hassel mentioned that a representative will be sent to the next congress.
This membership is of great value as the WSAVA sponsored a speaker at this year’s congress plus they are willing to support veterinary education in future.

13. Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council
According to Dr. Hassel, the committee held its first meeting recently. The Act is in existence since around a year. The committee consists of: Dr. Schneider, 2 vets of MAWF (Dr. Marais, Dr. Khaiseb/Homateni) and Dr. Hassel (VCN).

14. Next VAN Congress – place, dates and topics
The State Vet Meeting will be held in the school holidays beginning of September 2010, in Swakopmund (after the FEI Endurance Ride).
A lengthy discussion arose on whether to split the State Vet Meeting and the Congress or not. It was decided that both events should not be split. There needs to be a firm commitment by MAWF so VAN can plan the Congress well in advance. The event should be made a family affair (like in RSA).

15. Election of Office Bearers for 2009/2010
Terms in Office for Drs. Sajeni, Hassel and Marais had expired.
Dr. Sajeni stood for re-election (proposed Dr. Beggs, seconded Dr. Schmidt-Dumont)
Dr. Hassel stood for re-election (financial portfolio only, proposed Dr. A Voigts, seconded Dr. Marais).
Dr. Kaurivi was nominated and accepted (proposed Dr. Sajeni, seconded Dr. B Voigts).

16. Closure
MB closed the meeting at 19:45.