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Activists push for ban on using human contraceptive jabs on animals
(Mongabay) Authorities are considering banning the use of a human contraceptive injection for animals backed by calls from animal rights activists and vets, after a state-sanctioned chemical sterilization program drew serious criticism.
The medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injection, popularly sold under the brand name Depo-Provera, is intended for humans and had come under the spotlight when the government attempted to introduce it to stray dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)as a pilot project.The drug has often been surrounded in controversy due to its safety risks. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a “black box warning” on the contraceptive, citing that it may lead to bone density loss among humans.Vets and animal rights activists say the repercussions of using the injection on animals are even worse.
The Veterinary Drug Control Authority (VDCA), which falls under the purview of the Department of Animal Production and Health, has not banned the use of this contraceptive for animals.The Public Health Veterinary Services office estimates Sri Lanka’s stray dog population to be around 3-4 million.Hemali Kothalawala, the director general of the Department of Animal Production and Health, said in the past, the VDCA has granted approval to import that jab only under “special circumstances” if it is to be used on animals.
However, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority has granted approval to import the injection to be used on humans. Animal rights activists say the injections imported for humans are illegally used by quack vets on dogs.
“We are considering proposals to prohibit the use of this injection on animals. This has many harmful side effects. We will make a final decision in the near future,” Kothalawala told Mongabay.She added that until a final decision is made, anyone importing the injection for the purpose of using it on animals will have to obtain the approval of the VDCA.
Calls to ban the injection came after the Public Health Veterinary Services officeannounced a pilot project on Jan. 5 to carry out chemical sterilization on 50,000 free-roaming dogs.The program was aimed at achieving zero dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2025, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“The Depo-Provera vaccines were to be given to us as a grant by the World Health Organization,” L.D. Kithsiri, the director of Public Health Veterinary Services, told Mongabay.
Over the years, the Public Health Veterinary Services Office has adopted two approaches to combat rabies. The options are to administer rabies vaccines or perform clinical sterilization on female dogs — a process during which the animal’s reproductive organ is removed to permanently stop it from reproducing.
“We wanted to introduce chemical sterilization because we have not received enough funds from the government to carry out clinical sterilization,” Kithsiri said.
He said the Public Health Veterinary Services Office has received only around 69 million rupees ($190,000) for clinical sterilization in 2023, and that allocation is enough to perform the surgery on only 25,000 dogs.
“In 2022, the number of dog-mediated human rabies deaths was 28. Each year, around 20-30 deaths occur due to rabies. We need to perform the surgery on at least 100,000 dogs every year to achieve our target of no rabies deaths,” Kithsiri added.
The proposed chemical sterilization program sparked serious concerns from animal rights activists and vets who pointed out that the injection can have life-threatening implications when given to dogs.
The injection requires repeated dosing and has to be given to dogs after assessing the exact phase of their reproductive cycle. The Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA)had written to the health ministry highlighting that it is not practical to monitor the reproductive cycle of stray dogs, which had been chosen for the pilot project.
“It [the injection] requires repeated dosing for long-term suppression of reproduction. Therefore, administering Depo-Provera to stray animal population control is limited,” SLVA said in its letter seen by Mongabay.
The injection should not be given to female dogs when their estradiol hormone levels have been elevated or when they are not in anestrus — the non-breeding period of a dog’s six-month heat cycle, according to research published in The Blue Cross, the annual bulletin of the Nepal Veterinary Students Association.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
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President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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