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Ranchi's Dog Bite Crisis: 50,000 Cases Reported!
10 Jul
Summary
- Over 52,000 dog bite cases reported in Ranchi from January to June.
- Sadar Hospital sees nearly 200 dog bite patients daily.
- Jharkhand aims for zero human rabies deaths by 2030.
Ranchi is facing a significant public health challenge due to a surge in dog bites. From January to June, Sadar Hospital reported a staggering 52,669 cases. The anti-rabies clinic consistently treats around 200 patients daily, with children and the elderly being frequent victims. Doctors note that this steady influx points to an increasing stray dog population and a lack of effective control mechanisms.
Responding to this crisis, the Jharkhand chapter of the National Health Mission has launched a state-level initiative. This program aims to eliminate rabies transmission from dog bites, aligning with the central government's National Rabies Control Programme. The ultimate goal is to achieve zero human fatalities from rabies by the year 2030.
State NHM director Shashi Prakash Jha has mandated that all government hospitals maintain a minimum of three months' worth of anti-rabies vaccine buffer stock. Procurement processes are to be initiated proactively to prevent any potential vaccine shortages for patients. The detailed action plan is expected to be finalized by August and officially launched on World Rabies Day, September 28.
