Rabies vaccine supply halt at Dobaura health complex

Dobaura (Mymensingh) Correspondent :

The supply of rabies vaccines at the Dobaura Upazila Health Complex in Mymensingh has remained suspended for more than three years, causing immense suffering to patients bitten by dogs and cats. Many of them are returning home in frustration after finding no vaccines available at the hospital. Locals have expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged shortage of rabies vaccines.

According to reports, due to the unavailability of vaccines at the health complex, financially capable patients are purchasing them from private pharmacies, while the poor, unable to afford the vaccines, are spending their days at great risk without treatment. Some patients, failing to get vaccines at the hospital, are even turning to traditional healers. Hospital sources said that in the past month alone, 35 patients bitten by rabies-prone animals such as dogs, monkeys, foxes, mongooses, bats, and cats have come to the health complex. Among them, 20 were men, 10 were women, and 5 were children. However, the hospital currently has no supply of the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV).

Relatives of Amdad Hossain, a resident of the Sadar area who was injured by a dog bite, said they had to buy the vaccine from outside due to its unavailability at the hospital, after which he received medical care there.

They lamented that it would have been helpful if the government-supplied vaccine had been available. Similarly, Abdul Hai (50), a resident of Jigatala village in Gafargaon Union, was also bitten by a dog and failed to get vaccinated at the health complex. He later had to purchase the vaccine from a pharmacy for treatment.

Dr. Mirza Riad Hasan, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer of Dobaura, said, “The administration of rabies vaccines has been temporarily halted due to a lack of supply. We have already placed a requisition. Once the government supplies the vaccines, they will be provided free of charge from the hospital as usual.”