Mumbai: To mark the birth anniversary of Ratan Tata, the Tata Trusts Small Animal Hospital in Mahalaxmi organised a professional engagement seminar on Sunday on the theme ‘Bridging gaps for advancing services together’. The event brought together 32 private veterinary practitioners from Mumbai and nearby areas.The seminar reflected Tata’s vision of ensuring that every cat and dog has access to compassionate, ethical and world-class veterinary care. It highlighted the need to explore collaboration between private practitioners and tertiary-care institutions to strengthen veterinary services across the city.“The idea was to explore collaborative ways of improving veterinary care delivery and expanding access to advanced treatment for both pets and community animals. We discussed how specialised referral networks can function and how the hospital’s infrastructure can be optimally utilised. While private clinics provide primary care, complex cases can be referred to us for tertiary treatment, ensuring the best possible care and comfort for animals,” said Pramod Batra, head of administration and services at the hospital.The team outlined potential models of collaboration that emphasise continuity of care while respecting the important role played by private veterinarians within their local communities, mentioned a statement issued by the hospital. As part of the programme, in-house clinicians from the hospital presented two detailed case studies, offering insights into complex clinical decision-making, multidisciplinary treatment approaches, and the facility’s advanced infrastructure.The keynote address of the seminar was delivered by Dr Vishwas Rao, former officer-in-charge of Mumbai Veterinary College, who has over four decades of experience in small animal surgery and is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement National Award in Radiology and Imaging (2023). He underscored the need for stronger collaboration between institutions and private practitioners to improve veterinary care outcomes.
