NIN Web Desk : (Dr subhrojyoti chattopadhyay); A shortage of anti-venom and anti-rabies has been noticed for the past few days. It’s being heard that there’s shortage of anti-rabies Human Vaccine. It is to be noted that a few days ago, a woman in Salt Lake of Bidhannagar was biten by few dogs, when she was taken to a government hospital in Bidhannagar for primary treatment, it was reported that there was a shortage of anti-rabies for which she had to return from that government hospital without taking the vaccine. Such was the complaint of her family, smilarly there are several complaints on social media alleging shortage of such vaccines.
* What problems are hidden behind the cause of such deficiency?
Needless to say, such vaccines are not produced by the West Bengal State Government. This vaccine is mainly produced in several states of South India including Kerala. From there the supply is made to different parts of the country including West Bengal.
So now the question is whether there is a shortage of supply from the place of production or source or any other problem? In the recent past, on August 14, the emergency department of R G KaR Medical College was vandalized due to Abhaya’s Incident. As a result of that incident on that day, the shortage of such vaccines has been noticed more in Kolkata. Because, it has been known that important anti-venom and anti-rabies were stored in that emergency building. After the vandalism that day, many such antidotes were totally wasted/ruined. According to hospital sources, after that incident, the amount of deficiency has increased to some extent.
Notably, another reason behind the shortage of this vaccine for quite some time is natural or weather related, experts say. Basically, it is during this period that Dogs are physically abnormal so their attitude of attack increases. At any moment people are attacked in various ways similarly, when various reptiles (snakes) come out of the ground or water to find a cool or marshy place, common people get bitten by snakes. Due to the increase of the attack, the need for such an antidote also increases rapidly.
We (Media) spoke directly to Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam about this matter, he said, “There was a small problem with the anti-rabies vaccine for the supplier, but that problem has been overcome. And there is no such problem in the case of anti-venom, and if there is, we will try to overcome it as soon as possible.” However, when asked about the reason for such a shortage of vaccines was it due to vandalism on the night of August 14 at R G Kar, the secretary said, “I don’t know anything about this. I have to talk to the hospital to see if there is any shortage due to the incident which occured that day.”
On the other hand, Dr. Tapas Pramanik, Medical Officer of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital said about this, “Anti-rabies Human Vaccine has three categories or classifications and bite is of 3 category. It is mandatory to give vaccines in all three categories, but in category three, ‘rabies immunoglobulin’ has to be given, which is very important and can be called a ‘life-giving vaccine’. There is a considerable shortage of Immunoglobulins in the District Hospitals and patients are not willing to come to Kolkata if they are suggested by these district hospitals.” As a result, the symptoms of rabies have increased to a large extent, which has put the State’s Health System in question.
According to sources, the number of patients suffering from rabies has increased a lot in Beleghata ID Hospital. This has created concern in the health system of the state.
DISCLAIMER
Our news media denounces any form of bias and disapproves of sensationalism. The disseminated news is entirely educational and aimed at social awareness. Our media maintains absolute impartiality, adhering solely to the purpose of education and social consciousness.
