Karnataka Health Department directed all government hospitals to provide Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) for free as required for animal bite victims. In a circular on Friday, the Health Department said that though Rabies remains a fatal disease timely intervention and appropriate treatment could save lives. They said that "Elimination of dog bite mediated rabies by 2030" was the mission of the National Rabies Control Program (NRCI).
According to ANI, Karnataka Health Department has directed all the government hospitals to provide Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) free of cost as per requirement for all animal bite victims, irrespective of APL or BPL card.
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In a circular, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare said, "Although Rabies is a fatal disease, timely and appropriate treatment can save lives. "Elimination of dog bite mediated rabies by 2030" is the mission of the National Rabies Control Program (NRCI). Rabies has been declared as a Notifiable Disease in Karnataka from 05-12-2022."
In this regard, Commissioner said, "Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (UG) the mainstay of treatment to prevent the fatal rabies disease, have been made a part of the annual indent supply by KSMSCL and sufficient stock has to be maintained in all govemment hospitals."
The circular said that no animal bite victim should be denied treatment irrespective of their possession of APL/BPL card. Therefore, the circular added, "It is hereby directed to provide ARV and RIG free of cost as per requirement for all animal bite victims."
The Medical Officers were also instructed to judiciously use the RIG as per NECP recommendations available in "Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis.