Following complaints, govt hospitals directed to provide free rabies vaccines

Kadaba: Despite a recent directive from the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services, several government health facilities across Dakshina Kannada are still charging patients for anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) vaccines.

While a number of government hospitals have taken steps to implement this directive, it has come to light that a significant portion of them continue to impose fees for administering the vaccine. This discrepancy has prompted calls from the public for immediate attention from the relevant authorities.

The government’s initiative aims to provide free ARV and RIG vaccines for the treatment of rabies victims in all state-run hospitals, regardless of status. The order, dated October 5, is part of the broader National Rabies Control Program, with a target to eradicate rabies stemming from dog bites by 2030.

Dr. Thimmaiah, the District Health Officer in Mangalore, acknowledged the receipt of complaints and noted that some hospitals may be unaware of the directive’s implementation. He assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure compliance with the government’s order.