Jagran correspondent, New Delhi. The Delhi government has taken an important decision towards strengthening public health security in the capital. The government is going to issue a notification declaring rabies in humans as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act. Its objective is to ensure effective surveillance, timely reporting and prompt public health action of rabies.
Life can be saved with timely treatment
After the issuance of the notification, it will be mandatory for all health institutions (government and private) to immediately report rabies cases to the concerned health authorities. According to experts, once the symptoms of rabies appear, it becomes almost fatal, but it can be completely prevented with proper treatment in time. In such a situation, early reporting plays a decisive role in preventing deaths due to rabies.
availability of treatment strengthened
Delhi government has informed that anti-rabies vaccine is available in 59 health institutions located in 11 districts of Delhi, while anti-rabies serum and rabies immunoglobulin are being provided in 33 identified health centers and hospitals. This system is considered a strong link in the health system for the prevention of rabies. The Delhi government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has taken this step towards ensuring availability of anti-rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin to strengthen treatment facilities in the capital.
Final preparation on State Action Plan
Delhi Government is in the process of finalizing the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination in collaboration with local bodies, Animal Husbandry Department and other relevant stakeholders. Its goal is to reduce the number of human deaths due to rabies spread by dogs to zero. Under this, vaccination of humans as well as dogs and other animals will also be strengthened.
'Rabies is a completely preventable disease and any death caused by it is unacceptable. Declaring rabies as a notifiable disease will strengthen surveillance, ensure timely treatment and help achieve the goal of reducing rabies deaths to zero in the capital. The notification will be effective as soon as it is issued and will remain in force until further orders.
-Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Health Minister, Government of Delhi.
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