Jamshedpur: MGMMCH runs out of anti-rabies shots, animal-bite victims suffer

JAMSHEDPUR: The leading government hospital in Kolhan, MGMMCH, ran out of its stock of anti-rabies vaccine way back in March, and in all these months it did not receive any fresh consignment of the medicine.

“Thrice in the last six months, tenders were floated by the hospital inviting bids for the supply of antirabies vaccine, but no one showed any interest in the tenders,” MGMMCH hospital superintendent Arun Kumar said.

He, however, informed that the tender has been issued for the fourth time this month, and some have participated in the process. Kumar said in the next four to six weeks, supply of vaccine will resume. Incidentally, the hospital receives about 20 cases of dog bites daily, and most of the patients hail from weaker sections of society. “With no option left before me, I had to take my son to a private nursing home for the anti-rabies vaccine,” said daily wage worker Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Mango, whose son suffered dog bite while returning from tuition last month.

Likewise, S N Singh, a resident of Bhuyandih, said he first went to MGMMCH and then to the sadar hospital in Pursudih but he did not get the vaccine.

“On July 7, I suffered dog bite while returning home from work,” S N Singh said. Each shot of anti-rabies vaccine costs between Rs 350 to Rs 450, said Mrityunjay Kumar, an MBBS doctor. “All government hospitals, including primary health centres and sadar hospital, have been asked to stock-up anti-rabies vaccines,” said civil surgeon Maheshwar Prasad.