Acute shortage of rabies vaccine in Ishwardi
Pabna Correspondent :
An acute shortage of rabies preventive vaccines has created a serious crisis in Ishwardi, leaving patients bitten by dogs, cats, and other animals in extreme distress. Due to the unavailability of vaccines at the Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex for a prolonged period, affected patients are being deprived of urgent medical care. Even private pharmacies are unable to supply the vaccine, despite charging high prices.
Because of the shortage, dozens of patients visit the Upazila Health Complex every day only to return home disappointed without receiving treatment. Many are being forced to collect vaccines through relatives from Pabna, Natore, Rajshahi, and even Dhaka.
Describing his ordeal, victim Rezau l Karim Ferdous said, “A few days ago, my son was bitten by a cat, and I had to collect the vaccine from Natore and Rajshahi to complete his treatment. On Sunday night (January 11), my wife was bitten by a cat again. When I went to the Upazila Health Complex on Monday morning, I was told there was no vaccine available. I searched all pharmacies in Ishwardi but could not find it anywhere.”
Sharing a similar experience, Rafiqul Islam said, “After three days, I managed to bring a vaccine from Rajshahi at a cost of 1,000 taka. It is extremely shameful that a government hospital does not have rabies vaccines according to demand.”
Several pharmacy owners in Ishwardi, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that irregular supply from Incepta and Popular Pharmaceuticals has further worsened the crisis. With no alternative arrangements in place, patient suffering has reached alarming levels.
Regarding the issue, Dr. Ali Ehsan, Family Planning Officer of Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex, said, “Since November last year, the supply of rabies vaccines at the government level has remained suspended. Due to the high number of stray dogs in Ishwardi, patients bitten by dogs and cats come to the hospital every day.
However, we are unable to provide services because of the vaccine shortage.” He added that the matter has been reported to higher authorities and assurances have been given that the crisis will be resolved soon.