VADODARA/ANAND: Did you know that Gujarat’s coastal town – Khambhat - had a dedicated veterinary clinic to treat birds as early as 1539?
It not only served the avian species, but also drew admiration for its work. This is how Italian traveller Pietro dela Valle who had sailed from Venice to India in early 17th century described the bird hospital at Cambay (present day Khambhat).
The house of this hospital is small, a little room sufficing for many birds: yet I saw if full of birds of all sorts which need tendance, as cocks, hens, pigeons, peacocks, ducks and small birds, which during their being lame, or sick, or mateless, are kept here, but being recover’d and in good plight, if they be wild they are let go at liberty: if domestick they are given to some pious person who keeps them in his house (sic).
However, it’s this iconic premise that is now paving way for an ultra-modern veterinary hospital complex.
“Apart from being an ancient seaport and prominent trade hub, Khambhat was also a pioneer in the field of veterinary medicine. At a time when veterinary education was in the early development era around the world, Khambhat had a veterinary clinic to treat birds in the 16th century. It is one of the oldest known veterinary hospitals in the world,” said Dr Snehal Patel, deputy director, animal husbandry department, Anand district panchayat.
With the passage of years, the birds’ hospital turned into a veterinary hospital. Interestingly, nobody has a clear idea about the origins of the birds’ hospital but the Italian traveller mentions that it was maintained with “public alms”.
“The veterinary hospital at the present premises has been functioning since 1910. The old building was constructed in 1926 and was handed over by Nawab of Khambhat to Gujarat government,” said Patel.
Gujarat government’s Department of Animal Husbandry is constructing a new veterinary hospital complex with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore. Chief minister Vijay Rupani will virtually lay the foundation stone for the complex on Sunday from Anand town hall. “The new veterinary hospital building at Khambhat will house all modern diagnostic facilities like x ray, computed radiology system, ultra sound color doppler machine, hematology analyzer, serum analyzer and treatment facilities like modern operation theater with gaseous anesthesia machine,” said Patel.
“The state government has disbursed Rs 8 crore for new construction and renovation of veterinary hospitals of Anand district in the past five years,” he said.