Kathmandu Metropolitan City Provides Rabies Vaccines to Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital

Kathmandu. Kathmandu Metropolitan City has provided vaccines against rabies, which have been lacking at Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, as a form of assistance. The Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, handed over the vaccines to the hospital administration during a formal program.

The Metropolitan City showed promptness after news emerged that the stock of anti-rabies vaccines at the hospital was dwindling, which could lead to a health crisis. Considering the risk that patients coming from Kathmandu Metropolitan City, neighboring municipalities, and across the country would be directly affected, as Teku Hospital is a reliable and accessible destination for rabies treatment, the Metropolitan City provided vaccine assistance.

Speaking at the vaccine handover program, Acting Mayor Dangol stated that rabies is a fatal disease and that the death of a person due to not receiving timely vaccination after an animal bite is a challenge for the health system itself. The Metropolitan City stated that it was possible to manage the vaccines in a short period due to the rapid coordination between the Health Department and the hospital administration.

She said, 'As soon as we received information about the shortage of vaccines at Teku Hospital, we took it seriously. We have succeeded in providing vaccines within a week through coordination between the hospital and the Metropolitan City's Health Department. We believe this initiative will play a significant role in crisis management until regular supply is restored. There is no 'second chance' when it comes to rabies, and we cannot wait for it. It is our duty to support the health security of not only the residents of Kathmandu but also citizens from all over the country who come to Kathmandu for services.'

According to the hospital's director, Dr. Anup Bastola, the management of vaccine supply had become challenging due to some technical and procedural difficulties in the government procurement process recently. He stated that despite these challenges, the hospital has been continuing its vaccine services in coordination with Gandaki and Bagmati provinces, as well as various other bodies.

The hospital stated that the 1800 vials of vaccines provided by the Metropolitan City will meet the demand for an additional 9 to 10 days. Approximately two hundred service recipients come to the hospital daily to get vaccinated.

She said, 'Although rabies is a fatal disease, it can be prevented by getting vaccinated on time. We are committed to operating the service without interruption until the vaccines are procured and arrive from the Department of Health Services.'

Expressing gratitude for the Metropolitan City's prompt response and support, Dr. Bastola mentioned that this action has ended the situation where patients had to return without receiving vaccines.