Dear Sir,
There is a severe shortage of rabies vaccines in many parts of the country. It is reported that there is a shortage of vaccines in various places including Rajshahi, Bhola, Chandpur, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah. This is a picture of an overall public health crisis. This life-saving vaccine is not available in government hospitals, upazila health centers and even private pharmacies. As a result, people who are bitten by dogs or cats are being deprived of timely treatment.
This crisis is directly affecting children, the poor and the marginalized. Those who cannot afford to go to the district capital or the capital to collect the vaccine are at the highest risk. Some are bringing the vaccine from other districts, including Dhaka. But this is creating new risks regarding the quality and safety of the vaccine. In many cases, it is not possible to collect the vaccine due to its high cost.
The need of the hour is to ensure rapid supply of rabies vaccines from the central stockpile, activate alternative sources, and establish a reliable supply system to avoid such crises in the future.
Mohibul Hasan Rafi
Student, Government City College, Chattogram
