Why is rabies immunoglobulin important for dog bite victims?

Rabies immunoglobulin is essential for treating severe dog bites, especially Category 3 bites involving deep wounds or bites on the upper body, as it provides immediate antibodies to neutralize the virus at the wound site and prevent neurological complications or death.

What is the National Medical Commission's directive on rabies medication stock?

The National Medical Commission (NMC) mandated on December 29, 2025, that all government and private hospitals must maintain a mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) at all times.

Home / Health / Mumbai Hospitals Fail Rabies Vaccine Mandate

Mumbai Hospitals Fail Rabies Vaccine Mandate

Q: Which Mumbai hospitals have reported shortages of rabies immunoglobulin?

As of January 2026, major Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) run facilities including VN Desai Hospital, Cooper Hospital, and Jogeshwari Trauma Hospital have reported shortages or inadequate stock of rabies immunoglobulin.

26 Jan

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Summary

Civic hospitals in Mumbai are out of rabies immunoglobulin stock.
NMC mandates all hospitals must maintain rabies vaccine stock.
Dog bite victims are being turned away or referred elsewhere.

Mumbai Hospitals Fail Rabies Vaccine Mandate

As of January 2026, several Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) hospitals are failing to comply with National Medical Commission (NMC) mandates regarding the availability of anti-rabies medications. Directives issued on December 29, 2025, following a Supreme Court order, require all hospitals to maintain mandatory stocks of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). However, hospitals including VN Desai Hospital, Cooper Hospital, and Jogeshwari Trauma Hospital have reported shortages of RIG in January 2026.

Rabies immunoglobulin is crucial for treating Category 3 dog bites, where deep wounds or bites on the upper body pose a high risk of the virus entering the nervous system. Without immediate antibody neutralisation from RIG, patients face severe neurological complications or death, as rabies is fatal once symptoms appear. The high cost of RIG has historically led to selective use, but current guidelines leave no room for interpretation.