Kolhapur: Civic-run hospitals and clinics are facing shortage of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) as city is witnessing rise in number of dog bite incidents.

An official from Kolhapur Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) health department said that order for immediate procurement of 100 vials of ARV has been given and after that stock of 1,000 vials will be procured.

“The stock of the ARV vials is depleting owing to increase in demand mainly due to rise in number of dog bite cases,” he said.

A senior health official of the KMC said, “The stock of ARVs is depleting and there has been shortage since last one week. We have ordered 100 vials for immediate use which will arrive in the next two days. We are getting 10 to 15 dog bite cases every day. Citizens prefer the KMC-run hospitals, mainly Savitribai Phule Hospital, to get the vaccination over private hospitals and clinics. Since April last year we are providing vaccination at 50% of the cost charged by other hospitals and this might be the reason for increase in the number of patients approaching us.”

The cost of the vaccines in the other hospitals is high owing to which most of the government-run hospitals make the vaccines available. Major flow of patients bitten by dogs is at Chhatrapati Pramila Raje civil hospital run by the state government and Savitribai Phule Hospital run by the KMC.

Currently, there is no shortage of ARVs at the CPR hospital and the KMC health officials are advising patients to go to the CPR for the treatment.

KMC hospitals charge Rs 250 for administering ARVs as against Rs 500 to Rs 600 charged by the private hospitals.

“We have supply issues as we do not get adequate supply from the suppliers. We invite tenders from suppliers and those quoting the minimum amount are selected for supplying the vaccinations. The process takes time, however, we make cash payment so that the suppliers make the ARVs available immediately,” the health official said.

