Meghalaya govt spends Rs 10 lakh on Anti-rabies vaccine

Shillong, Mar 21 (UNI) Meghalaya's Health and Family Welfare Minister Deborah C Marak today said the government had spent Rs 10 lakh during the last one year and Rs 17 lakh was earmarked this year for purchase of anti-rabies vaccine.

She admitted in the House that a 12-year boy died in January last, soon after his arrival at Pasteur institute here.

Replying to a zero-hour question raised by MDP member P T Sawkmie, she said that the boy was bitten by a dog about a month earlier and was reportedly treated by a local quack.

Ms Marak said it was unfortunate that the death was not due to lack of medical attention, but hydrophobia which had developed in the boy for not giving proper medical care in time.

'' The department had no option but to assign high priority for providing these vaccines to the below poverty line population who cannot afford to buy from the open market which is being sold at Rs 350 while the Government is providing the vaccine at a nominal rate of Rs 30,'' she said.

''A coordinated approach is necessary among various government departments, public representatives, NGOs and media for creating awareness, control of stray dog population and immunisation of pet dogs to prevent hydrophobia'' Ms Marak added.

UNI