DIMAPUR — Drawn
to medicine from an early age, 45-year-old Dr. Michael Imti Imchen, now the
Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services,
Government of Nagaland, was consistently encouraged by his parents,
grandparents, and relatives to pursue his goal.
At the time, he had limited knowledge of Veterinary Science
or Animal Husbandry and was only aware of medical doctors. However, he had
always prayed for guidance and eventually made a pact with God to become a
missionary—dedicating his life to serving people.
After completing Class 12 at Kohima Science College,
Jotsoma, he appeared for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in 1998, listing
MBBS, Veterinary Science, and Dentistry in that order of preference. He was
confident of qualifying for Veterinary Science, and the results confirmed his
expectations. However, he remained uncertain about Veterinary Science, though
he was clear that he would not pursue Dentistry.
Sensing the situation, his father offered to send him to a
medical college, but he flatly refused. Shortly after the JEE results, he had a
conversation with Rev. Dr. Sebastian, his hostel warden at Don Bosco Hostel,
Jotsoma, who later became the head of the Department of English at Nagaland
University.
That day, Rev. Dr. Sebastian briefly explained the positive
aspects and prospects of pursuing Veterinary. That brief meeting became a
defining moment, believed to be part of God’s plan. From then on, the decision
to pursue Veterinary was made. There was no looking back, and the passion for
the profession grew steadily stronger.
Dr. Imchen received his early education at Kiddies Corner
Higher Secondary School in Shillong and Edith Douglas Higher Secondary School
in Mokokchung and completed his matriculation from Ram Janaki Higher Secondary
School in Dimapur. He pursued his pre-university studies at Kohima Science
College, Jotsoma, and graduated from the College of Veterinary Science,
Khanapara, Guwahati.
He later completed his post-graduation with an M.Sc. in
Animal Production Management from the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural
Development (SASRD), Nagaland University.
Over the course of his career, he has undertaken several
specialised courses, including Soft Tissue Surgery and Ultrasonography in Small
Animals at GADVASU, Punjab; Small Animal Dermatology at Madras Veterinary
College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Large Animal Ultrasonography at LUVAS, Hisar; and
Welfare and Health Management of Captive Elephants at the Wildlife Institute of
India.
Among his notable achievements, Dr. Imchen was honoured with
the Best Veterinarian Award in 2016. He performed India’s first spinal surgery
on a dog at the clinic level. He also conducted the world’s first research on
the effects of axone on growth parameters in turkey birds. Additionally, he
holds the distinction of being the first Naga veterinarian to work on the
health and management of elephants.
In this interview with Eastern
Mirror, Imchen offers practical advice to students considering a career in
Veterinary Science, breaking down what the profession entails, the educational
path it requires, and the range of specialisations available.
Could you explain
what a veterinarian does?
A veterinarian plays a crucial role in animal and public
health. They treat various ailments in birds and animals after proper diagnosis
and study animal diseases to find cures and methods of prevention.
Veterinarians also help in the production of wholesome, hygienic food of animal
origin for human consumption. They act as the first line of defence for human
health, as 60 to 70 per cent of human diseases are zoonotic in nature—transmitted
between animals and humans. Additionally, they contribute to the research and
development of medicines for both humans and animals. Veterinarians also help
maintain the earth's ecosystem and work to prevent human-animal conflict.
What types of animals
do you typically treat in your practice, and are there veterinarians who
specialise in specific animal groups?
Veterinary Medicine is a vast field, and from the
undergraduate level, practitioners are trained to be familiar with all
branches. Over the past 21 years, I have treated a wide range of animals, from
mice to elephants, including snakes, alligators, tortoises, and turtles.
However, the most commonly treated animals are cats, dogs, pigs, cattle, and
chickens. There are many branches within veterinary medicine, and one can
specialise in any species of animal according to their interest. These
specialisations are similar to those found in human medicine.
What education path
does one need to follow to become a veterinarian?
Anyone interested in studying Veterinary Medicine must have
studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) at the 10+2 level.
What subjects should students focus on in school if they're
interested in Veterinary Medicine?
Students interested in Veterinary Medicine should certainly
have a strong interest in Biology, but they should not neglect other subjects.
Ultimately, it is the individual's passion and dedication that matter most.
What factors should
students consider when selecting a veterinary college?
When selecting a veterinary college, students should first
consider the reputation of the institution. It is also important to assess the
facilities available based on various accounts. Another key factor is the kind
of exposure students receive during their course. In some colleges, students
are exposed to a wide range of animal species, including bovines, caprines,
ovines, canines, felines, and porcines, as well as wildlife and laboratory
animals. Such comprehensive exposure is not available at all veterinary
institutes, as the availability of different animal species often depends on
regional factors.
Feeding
an orphaned bear cub at the Nagaland Zoological Park.
Are there any
entrance exams? How competitive is admission to veterinary schools?
Yes, there are various entrance examinations conducted each
year for admission to veterinary schools. These include the National
Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research – All India Entrance Examination for Admission (ICAR-AIEEA), the
Common University Entrance Test (CUET), and other state-specific entrance examinations.
In some cases, direct admission is also offered by private colleges.
The examinations are very competitive, and admission to such
veterinary institutes is very difficult, as the seats are very limited and
purely based on merit.
What personal qualities
or characteristics do you think are most important for someone considering a
career in veterinary medicine?
According to me, a person interested in pursuing a career in
veterinary medicine should possess certain key qualities. These include a genuine
passion for the profession, as well as compassion and empathy—not only for the
animals but also in understanding the concerns of their owners. Strong
communication skills are essential, along with the ability to pay close
attention to detail, since animals cannot speak and accurate diagnosis depends
on careful observation. The profession also demands emotional resilience and
physical fitness, as it can be both mentally and physically challenging.
Lastly, one must have an abundance of patience, as animals may be uncooperative
or frightened during treatment, which is often time-consuming.
How do you handle the
emotional aspects of your job, especially when dealing with sick animals or
difficult situations?
I tend not to get emotionally attached but focus on
providing the best medical care available to me. My guiding motto is
"Animal healthcare with compassion"—compassion both for the animal
and for the owners or clients.
What's the current
job market like for new veterinary graduates, and which areas have the highest
demand?
Veterinary graduates are always in demand. There's a huge
gap to fill both in the animal healthcare sector and in the animal husbandry
sector.
Considering in a state like Nagaland, where most of the
animal products come from other states, the veterinary graduates have the
highest demand in the animal husbandry sector, where they can contribute
immensely to increasing the production of meat, milk, and eggs.
What advice would you
give to students who are interested in veterinary medicine but worried about
the academic requirements?
First of all, nothing will replace dedication, hard work,
and focus. Feeling concerned about meeting your academic requirements? You are
not alone.
Here's some practical advice to help you move forward: Try
to build strong foundations by focusing on science subjects, and if you are
struggling, seek help early. Gain animal experience by volunteering at vet
clinics, farms, animal shelters, animal welfare societies, or zoos. Consult and
discuss with veterinarians. Cultivate good study habits. Most importantly, work
towards progress, not perfection.
Can you share any
advice for young people who want to gain experience working with animals before
they're old enough for formal veterinary training?
Firstly, I would suggest owning a pet or rearing an animal
and learning to take care of its welfare—healthcare, nutrition, hygiene, etc.
After that, consider volunteering at vet clinics, farms, animal shelters,
rescues, animal welfare societies, or zoos.
What financial considerations
should students be aware of when planning for veterinary school?
If one gets a seat through the competitive exams or entrance
exams, then the government pays for the seat. One will only be required to pay
for hostel, mess fees, books, and some personal expenses. Scholarships for
books are automatically attached to the seats if earned through entrance
examinations such as NEET and other state exams. However, if one is pursuing
the study through privately managed seats, then there will be considerable
financial involvement.
What do you see as
the future of Veterinary Medicine?
The future of Veterinary Medicine is very bright. This field
will be one of the few careers where there is tremendous scope. For example, in
the food sector, there will always be demand for animal products such as meat,
milk, eggs, and other by-products. Considering the huge gap between production
and consumption—where production is mostly in deficit—this career, in terms of
the financial aspect, stands as one of the biggest earners.
Dr. Michael
Imti Imchen seen with a dart gun after tranquilizing an elephant.
RAPID INSIGHTS
What's one veterinary
myth you'd like to debunk?
One common veterinary myth I'd like to debunk is,
"Veterinarians treat only animal diseases." In reality, veterinary
medicine is one of the most demanding professions in the world. It requires one
to be equipped with almost every quality that a person can possess.
Veterinarians diagnose and treat every disease in all animal species — from
pets to farm animals to wildlife — all of whom are unable to speak for
themselves. They also manage client relationships, handling emotional,
irresponsible owners and difficult characters on a regular basis.
Vets are the first line of defence for 60–70% of human
diseases. All animal food products are produced with the help of veterinarians.
In addition, all human drugs are researched and developed with veterinary
involvement.
If you could be any
animal, which would you choose and why?
If I could be any animal, I would choose to be a wolf. A
wolf has a strong sense of loyalty and bonding. It maintains a balance of
independence and cooperation. Wolves show resilience and adaptability. Their
natural leadership is based on respect, care, and cooperation, not aggression.
Dr.
Michael Imti Imchen.
Feeding
an orphaned bear cub at the Nagaland Zoological Park.