Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The National Health Mission has launched a statewide initiative in Jharkhand to strengthen rabies elimination and improve dog-bite management, with a strong focus on public awareness and timely vaccination to prevent deaths.
Statewide Awareness Campaign Ordered
Campaign Director Shashi Prakash Jha has issued instructions to all civil surgeons to conduct awareness programmes from district to panchayat level. The directive highlights that nearly 17,000 people die every year in India due to rabies, even though the disease is fully preventable through timely vaccination.
Rabies Vaccine Must Be Available at All Government Health Facilities
The health department has been told to ensure uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccine at district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres. The required funding has been provided under the District Resource Envelope 2025–26. Officials have also been instructed that if vaccine shortages arise at any facility, urgent procurement should be done immediately using alternative budget heads so that no patient is denied treatment.
Coordination With Multiple Departments
Under the awareness drive, the health department will coordinate with the animal husbandry department, urban local bodies, and panchayati raj institutions. Public awareness material such as hoardings, banners, and wall writings will be displayed at major city intersections, weekly markets, government premises, and rural areas. Special awareness programmes will also be conducted in schools.
Public Advised to Seek Immediate Medical Help After Animal Bite
The department has appealed to the public to immediately visit the nearest government hospital and consult doctors in case of any animal bite. It has stressed that timely vaccination is critical to prevent rabies and save lives.
