KOZHIKODE: The Kozhikode District Veterinary Hospital is one of the oldest institutions in the state. The hospital, which celebrated its centenary in 2014, also holds the record for the first veterinary hospital in the Malabar area. It was formed in 1914 on a decision by the British government to start a veterinary hospital in all districts of Madras Presidency.
According to the records from the Regional Archives, it was in 1910 the British government decided to start a veterinary hospital in all districts of the Madras Presidency.
“On November 11, 1910 the Indian Civil Veterinary department wrote to then Malabar collector R.B. Wood in this regard to find out a place for the hospital in Malabar district and about the financial support for the hospital from the local bodies,” says T.B. Seluraj, local historian.
After long discussions and letters, the Kozhikode municipal council agreed to bear Rs 525 annually for the hospital and the district board agreed to bear half of the expense.
The place for the hospital was selected by a three- member team headed by Commissioner Butte-rworth. The team selected 1.25 acres of land, presently at the Wayanad Road.
The land was owned by the Zamorin of Calicut and a private party. The government purchased the land for Rs 4,816 and an estimated figure of Rs 4,484 was earmarked for the building.
The building started functioning in 1914 and the government had also appointed a compounder to inform the public about the hospital in cattle markets, according to the records.
The hospital campus is now functioning as the district veterinary centre whi-ch also houses multiple off-ices like regional clinical laboratory, ICDP office, AD-CP project, district animal husbandry office, mobile veterinary dispensary etc.
