MAPUSA
Shortage of anti-rabies vaccines is keeping government hospital administrators on the edge, although the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo) has “enough” stock of these.
Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bardez directs patients with dog bites to approach Asilo or are they asked to purchase vaccines from outside.
Several patients who approached Asilo were requested to bring the fourth dose of the vaccine from outside.
Last week, a resident of Calangute Sameep Narvekar who was directed to visit Asilo was asked to procure his fourth vaccine from outside.
“When I came for my fourth dose, a nurse at the Asilo asked me to purchase the vaccine from a private outlet. But after I refused and created a scene I was administered the fourth dose,” Narvekar said.
He, however, had to pay and get his final fifth vaccine from outside.
Asilo Medical Superintendent, Dr Geeta Kakodkar, said that the district hospital has enough stock of the vaccine. “For the moment there is no cause for concern. We have enough stock of the anti-rabies vaccine in the hospital,” Dr Kakodkar said.
She, however, said that problem arises when there is shortage at other centres (PHCs).
“When people from other villages come to Asilo we give them three vaccines and we ask them to get the remaining dose from outside,” she added.
The primary health centres along the coastal belt “ Candolim and Siolim “ are also under pressure due to short supply of the vaccines.
On Friday (March 2) the Siolim PHC ran out of the anti-rabies vaccine. Owen Braganza, a resident of Assagao who took his wife to the centre for the third dose, was told to avail the facility at Asilo.
“The staff at Asilo has told me that for the fourth dose I will have to bring may own vaccine,” Braganza told The Goan.
Last month, the Candolim PHC staff directed Sameep Narvekar to approach Asilo after giving only two doses of the vaccine at the PHC due to shortage of the vaccine.
Goa being a tourist destination availability of anti-rabies drugs assumes significance especially keeping in mind people visiting the coastal belt.
“This is a matter where the government has to intervene as it affects the consumers. Going to the health centre and getting no service is infringement of my right. It amounts to deficiency of service,” said Roland Martins, GOACAN convenor.
