Karnataka to Provide Free Anti-Rabies Vaccine for Animal Bite Victims
BENGALURU:
The Karnataka Health Department has instructed all government hospitals to offer the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) free of charge to all victims of animal bites, regardless of their APL or BPL card.
A circular issued on Thursday by the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services, D Randeep, stated that although Rabies is a deadly disease, timely and appropriate treatment can save lives.
The National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) aims to eliminate dog-bite transmitted rabies by 2030. Rabies has been declared a Notifiable Disease in Karnataka since December 5, 2022.
To this end, the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd has included ARV and RIG, the main components of rabies treatment, in its annual supply. Sufficient stock must be maintained in all government hospitals, the circular stated.
No animal bite victim should be denied treatment based on their possession of an APL/BPL card. Therefore, it is mandated to provide ARV and RIG free of charge to all animal bite victims as needed. Medical Officers are instructed to use RIG judiciously in accordance with NRCP recommendations, the circular added.
According to a recent survey conducted by the city civic body, Bengaluru is home to a total of 279,335 stray dogs.
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