Malaysian veterinarians are at a critical juncture, grappling with significant operational constraints, a public understanding gap, and widespread issues of stress and burnout.
These are among the key findings published in the white paper titled ‘Going Beyond: Charting a Sustainable Future for Veterinary Medicine in Southeast Asia’ commissioned by Boehringer Ingelheim.
It highlights pressing challenges impacting the veterinary profession across the region.
The white paper underscores a widespread crisis of underappreciation, operational strain and burnout, directly impacting the vital role veterinarians play in both animal and public health.
Despite their indispensable contributions in companion animal care, livestock management, wildlife conservation and zoonotic disease prevention, their extensive work often remains unrecognised.
The white paper points to critical challenges like economic constraints and staff shortages, urging urgent, collaborative solutions across education, public understanding and mental wellbeing support to ensure a sustainable future for the profession.
These findings are a crucial call to action for the animal health sector in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia as veterinarians are essential pillars of society, ensuring the health and welfare of pets and livestock, playing a frontline role in public health, food safety and preventing transboundary diseases, says Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (MSI) head of animal health Dr Kam Kok Yen.
The white paper, the result of a regional survey with 335 veterinarians and veterinary staff across six Southeast Asian countries, and in-depth interviews with veterinarians, reveals that a majority of Malaysian vets face a triple threat — perception of costs, operational strain and workplace well-being.
The challenges in Malaysia mirror broader regional trends, including high rates of stress (74 per cent) and staff shortages (43 per cent), compounded by a lack of public understanding regarding their vital role.
“Veterinarians are the cornerstone of animal health, playing a critical role in food security, protecting public health and ensuring the wellbeing of animals, but they face immense, often unseen pressures,” says Dr Kam.
The white paper was recently presented during the 15th anniversary celebration of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Animal Health Division in Malaysia.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
