It is deeply worrying that anti-rabies vaccines, which are essential for treating dog bite victims, are often unavailable in government hospitals, health centres and medical stores across Goa. In such emergencies, the lack of these life-saving vaccines puts people at serious risk and causes needless suffering. What are citizens expected to do if they are bitten by a dog and the vaccine is out of stock? The main purpose of government health centres is to provide timely and essential medical care, yet repeated shortages of anti-rabies vaccines show a serious failure on the part of the Health Department.
This situation also raises concerns about the role and accountability of the Health Minister. It is unfortunate that public health facilities are unable to protect the very people they are meant to serve, especially when prompt treatment can prevent a fatal disease. The Goa government must act urgently to ensure a steady and adequate supply of anti-rabies vaccines in all health centres and hospitals. No citizen should be left at risk of rabies because of negligence or poor management.
