Civic-run hospitals and clinics in Kolhapur are facing shortage of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) as the city is observing increase in number of dog bite incidents.

An official from Kolhapur Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) health department said that order for immediate procurement of 100 vials of ARV has been given and after that stock of 1,000 vials will also be procured. He said that the stock of the ARV vials is reducing due to the increase in demand and rise in number of dog bite cases.

A senior health official of the KMC said that the stock of ARVs is reducing and there has been shortage since last one week. They have ordered 100 vials for immediate use which will arrive in the next two days as they are getting 10 to 15 dog bite cases every day. Citizens prefer the KMC-run hospitals, primarily Savitribai Phule Hospital, to get the vaccination over private hospitals and clinics. Since last April, they are providing vaccination at 50% of the cost charged by other hospitals and this could be the reason for increase in the number of patients approaching them.

The cost of the vaccines in the other hospitals is very high due to which most of the government-run hospitals make the vaccines available. Major flow of patients bitten by dogs is at Chhatrapati Pramila Raje civil hospital run by the state government and Savitribai Phule Hospital run by the KMC.

At present, there is no shortage of ARVs at the CPR hospital and the KMC health officials are directing patients to go to the CPR for the treatment. KMC hospitals charge Rs 250 for administering ARVs whereas, private hospitals charge Rs 500 to Rs 600.

The health official said that they have supply issues as they do not get adequate supply from the suppliers. They also invite tenders from suppliers and those who quote the minimum amount are selected for supplying the vaccinations. The process takes time, but, they do the cash payment so that the suppliers can make the ARVs available immediately.

Source: ET Healthworld