Muscat – Dr Shahab Abdul Majeed al Balushi, an Omani veterinary specialist, has been chosen for one of the biggest awards for veterinarians in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Dr Balushi, a technical support assistant manager at Al Bashayer Meat Company, won the award for Best Veterinarian at the Almarai Prize for Veterinary Medicine for the GCC, held in King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa – an oasis in Saudi Arabia, on October 12.

The annual award celebrates veterinarians in Saudi Arabia and GCC countries, who figure high for their significant contributions to the profession and scientific researches to enrich veterinary medicine in the region.

Dr Balushi is the first Omani veterinarian to get recognitions twice at the awards, with the first one coming in 2017 when he won the Outstanding Student Award.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Dr Balushi said, “I am honoured to receive this award. It is, in fact, an achievement for my country. The recognition is a great motivation to do more.”

He informed that the award ceremony will be held in December. Almarai awards – launched in 2010 – are given in five categories under the supervision of the Saudi Veterinary Medical Association.

Talking about veterinary medicine, Dr Balushi said, “Veterinary medicine is the first line of defence both for humans and animals as it fights and prevents many common as well zoonotic diseases, while ensuring food safety and consumer protection.”

Dr Balushi also wants to assist other fellow veterinarians in their works as research in this field is expensive. “I also hope to establish an association for veterinarians to upgrade and develop veterinary services throughout the sultanate.”

Currently, there are about 80 Omani veterinarians. “I urge Omani youth to take up this profession. I believe Omanis can work in any field and raise the sultanate’s flag all over the world.”

Dr Balushi previously worked as the head of the Department of Preventive and Therapeutic Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

He has represented the sultanate in many forums and programmes related to animal health on global platforms such as the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organziation (FAO).

He also represented Oman in the Gulf Health Council and participated in the preparation of many Gulf laws and regulations related to animal health and prevention, in addition to publishing many research papers in various scientific journals.