Adil Lateef
Srinagar, Mar 15: Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation (JKMSCL) has so far failed to supply life saving anti-rabies vaccines to hospitals in Kashmir valley where scores of dog bite cases are being reported daily.
The old stock of these vaccines has almost exhausted and hospital administrations are buying them at their own to maintain the stock.
Sources in Health Department told Excelsior that the old supplies of the anti-rabies vaccines have exhausted in majority of hospitals of the Valley that include tertiary hospitals as well. Given the importance of the anti-rabies vaccine and rising dog bites, the administrations in all hospitals are now buying these vaccines at their own.
A top medical official told Excelsior that the hospitals, where old anti-rabies vaccine supplies still exists, would exhaust by next week.
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) president, Dr Nisar-u-Hassan, said the JKMSCL which was formed for speedy delivery of quality drugs has failed so far in doing the same. “The Medical Corporation is an autonomous body and they should have supplied the anti-rabies vaccine on priority basis as they don’t need seek permission from anyone,” Dr Nisar told Excelsior.
Several Medical Superintendents and Block Medical Officers (BMOs) expressed resentment over failure of JKMSCL to supply anti-rabies vaccines to their hospitals.
A Non Government Organization (NGO) recently said that 22,067 dog bite cases were reported since 2014 in Kashmir Valley while 20 persons died since 2008. According to Government figures, 3701 dog bite cases were reported in summer capital Srinagar in year 2014. The NGO said that kids have been the worst affected due to canine terror in Valley.
Admitting that they have not supplied anti-rabies vaccines to hospitals in Kashmir Valley, the Managing Director of JKMSCL, Dr Yashpal said they are yet to issue the tenders for several drugs including anti-rabies vaccine and also hepatitis -B vaccine. “The financial bidding would soon take place for several drugs and the anti-rabies vaccine is also expected to be including in it,” he told Excelsior.
The Managing Director however said that they have asked the hospitals to procure the anti-rabies vaccines at their own as of now. “We have supplied 424 drugs already and after bidding we will be hopefully supplying the anti-rabies vaccine as well,” he added.
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