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World Rabies Day: Punjab Health Minister emphasized on the need for multi-level coordination among departments to prevent rabies.
214 anti-rabies clinics functional in Punjab; Free vaccination available in case of animal bites: Dr. Balbir Singh
The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Maan is committed to providing world-class health facilities to the people of the state
On the occasion of World Rabies Day, Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Punjab Dr. Balbir Singh today emphasized the need for multi-level coordination among various departments to reduce the menace of rabies.
The Health Minister was presiding over a training workshop organized on the occasion of World Rabies Day here today. The objective of this workshop was to create awareness about the prevention of rabies and provide information about the activities being done to fight against this dreaded disease. This year’s theme for World Rabies Day was “All for 1, One Health for All”, highlighting that health is not just for a select few, but equally for all.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Balbir Singh said that the number of deaths due to rabies can be reduced only with the cooperation of various departments and communities including local governments, rural development and animal husbandry. He said that the only way to avoid dog bites is to sterilize stray dogs.
He said that at present there are 214 functional anti-rabies clinics in district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, community health centers, some medical colleges and some PHCs in Punjab. He further said that nodal officers for the National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) have been appointed by each district.
It may be mentioned that a total of 834 paramedical staff and doctors have been trained and Anti Rabies Serum (ARS) is available free of charge under the Essential Drug List (EDL) in the state.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Maan is committed to provide world-class healthcare facilities to the people at no cost.
He also released a comic book prepared by the Department’s Mass Education and Media Wing, which aims to educate children about rabies through pictures.
Secretary Health Com MD NHM Dr. Abhinav Trikha said that prevention and promotional aspects of the health sector and age-old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ is the only way to avoid rabies.
Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Adarshpal Kaur motivated the participants in the workshop to sensitize the field staff of the department about the disease and urged the general public to get rabies vaccination after dog bites.
State Program Officer National Rabies Control Program Dr. Preeti Thawre made better coordination for the success of this training workshop.
Box: What is rabies?
A deadly zoonotic disease spread by the bite of animals infected with the rabies virus, it poses a major risk to public health.
It is generally believed that rabies can only be transmitted through dog bites. Conversely, however, the disease is not limited to dogs but can be contracted by bites from a variety of animals including cats, monkeys, ferrets, goats, bats, beavers, foxes and raccoons.
The virus lives in the saliva of infected animals and enters humans through animal bites or wounds.
Signs and symptoms of rabies:
Early symptoms of rabies may include fever, headache, nervousness, vomiting and general weakness. As the virus spreads, other symptoms develop such as confusion, restlessness, hallucinations, seizures, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, paralysis and eventually death.
Steps to Prevent Rabies:
Avoid contact with stray animals (or any animal that appears sick or injured).
Get your pets vaccinated against rabies regularly
– Do not touch stray animals
Wash the animal bite area immediately with soap and water for at least 10 minutes
If you have been bitten by an animal or suspect you have rabies, seek immediate medical attention and get a rabies vaccine.
Report animal bites to the local health department
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