VETERINARY ETHICS IN THE LIBERALIZED MARKET - THE ZAMBIAN ENVIRONMENT

The Zambian veterinary delivery system is responding to changes in the socio-economic environment and in the structural organisation and fun ctions of the delivery system itself. Privatisation and liberalisation are now being actively pursued as official Government policy with fre e competition being encouraged. As a profession, veterinarians must sa feguard their interests by, among other actions, self-regulating their activities so as to enhance their standing in society and to develop or maintain standards worthy of the profession. This will be achieved largely through the Veterinary Association of Zambia. It is also imper ative for the Government to ensure that governmental policy succeeds b y providing an appropriate environment and by protecting the public an d animals from undesirable actions by agents of the delivery system (v eterinarians and para-professionals). There is also the need to mainta in harmony among these agents and to resolve any differences which dev elop between colleagues and subordinates. Such objectives call for law s and codes of ethics appropriate to the environment of Zambia to be e stablished to guide practitioners, the Veterinary Association, the pub lic and any statutory body which is established to enforce these laws and codes of conduct. The authors explore the meanings of ethics and l aws, the principles which will guide stakeholders to develop such ethi cs and the roles of veterinary associations, statutory bodies, e.g. Ve terinary Boards or Councils, veterinary schools and other stakeholders , such as para-professionals, including auxiliaries. The authors also examine the implications of certain rules, such as free competition in service delivery. The establishment of regulations and quality contro l methods are discussed briefly.