Karnataka to Provide Anti-Rabies Vaccine in all Govt. Hospitals

The Karnataka Health Department has issued a directive to all government hospitals in the state, instructing them to provide the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) for free to all animal bite victims, regardless of whether they possess an Above Poverty Line (APL) or Below Poverty Line (BPL) card. The circular emphasizes the importance of timely and appropriate treatment for rabies, a potentially fatal disease. The objective is to work towards the elimination of rabies transmitted through dog bites by the year 2030, in alignment with the National Rabies Control Program (NRCI).

1. 1. All government hospitals in Karnataka are directed to offer the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) at no cost to individuals who have been bitten by animals.
2. 2. The circular highlights that, rabies is a deadly disease, prompt and appropriate treatment can save lives. This emphasizes the importance of immediate medical attention for animal bite victims.
3. 3. The National Rabies Control Program (NRCI) has set a mission to eliminate rabies transmitted through dog bites by the year 2030. This initiative is at the heart of the directive.
4. 4. Rabies has been declared a notifiable disease in Karnataka since December 5, 2022. This means that healthcare providers are required to report cases of rabies to the health authorities for tracking and control.
5. 5. The circular ensures that the necessary stocks of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) are maintained in all government hospitals, indicating that a sufficient supply should be available for treatment.
6. 6. The circular makes it clear that no animal bite victim should be denied treatment, and possession of an APL or BPL card should not be a criterion for access to the vaccine and immunoglobulin.
7. 7. Medical officers are instructed to use the Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) judiciously in accordance with the National Expert Committee on Rabies Prophylaxis (NECP) recommendations, as specified in the “Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis.”

Karnataka Health Department to combat rabies and ensure that all individuals who are victims of animal bites receive timely and appropriate medical care, with a goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.