RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Al-Ahsa on Saturday honored the Kingdom’s first female veterinary graduates.

The event, held on World Veterinary Day, was staged in cooperation with the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases and attended by officials and stakeholders from the veterinary field, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The women honored were from King Faisal University.

The report said the event showcased the ministry’s commitment to supporting and empowering women and would help to create new job opportunities for them.

Vets play a vital role in public health as the first line of defense against diseases that affect both humans and animals. Their contributions include diagnosing and preventing the spread of disease and providing care.

The ministry said the national center supported vets in fulfilling that role by providing resources and mechanisms.

The center is also committed to creating an environment that fosters the growth of veterinary work and promotes sustainable development in the agricultural sector.