Anti-Rabies Clinic Inaugurated at RMLIMS
CMS - Prof. (Dr.) A.K Singh, Dean - Prof. (Dr.) Pradyumn Singh, Executive Registrar -Prof. (Dr.) Jyotsna Agarwal, Dr. SD Kandpal- HOD Community Medicine, Dr. Manish Kumar Singh- Nodal Person, Anti Rabies Clinic, senior faculty members and residents graced the occasion.
The inaugural ceremony was followed by a CME on "Recent Updates on Rabies Control" which evidenced eminent speakers from Urban Local Body, Lko Municipal Corporation and Directorate, Communicable Disease, Medical & Health Services, Govt. of UP.
Prof. (Dr.) CM Singh congratulated the Department of Community Medicine for the initiative. He said "Rabies is a 100 percent fatal zoonotic disease. A death due to rabies is every 9 minutes a day globally. He added that Prevention in form of wound wash, timely consultation and complete course of vaccination post exposure to an animal bite is very vital for saving lives. He also highlighted that this clinic is to be expanded in future to offer Adult Immunization services" .
Prof. (Dr.) A.K Singh,CMS said " The clinic will play a vital role towards the goal of Zero Human Deaths due to Dog Mediated Rabies. He said that clinic can play a very important role in raising public awareness on this neglected tropical disease"
Prof. (Dr.) Pradyumn Singh,Dean said that Inauguration of the clinic will also open up avenues for research on this 100% fatal disease. He congratulated the department of community medicine for a very meticulously planned CME covering essential aspects of Rabies control and inviting eminent speakers.
Prof. (Dr.) Jyotsna Agarwal,ER said It's a wonderful initiative and the masses will be benefitted by the expert advice. The CME with very pertinent topics of vaccination of humans, pets and street dogs and animal birth control measures will be very beneficial"
Dr. SD Kandpal said "India shares one third of the burden of Rabies Deaths reported globally. Many cases of animal bite are not reported of ignorance. The clinic apart from offering vaccination services also has the vision of increasing awareness in the masses and contribute towards the Rabies Free Lucknow Initiative"
Dr Manish Kumar Singh - Nodal Person for Anti Rabies Clinic spoke on Post and Pre Exposure prophylaxis for Rabies. He said every animal bite victim must wash the wound properly with soap under running water for at least 15 minutes and should report to the vaccination facility immediately. New animal bite cases are to be vaccinated with
- 5 doses of vaccine by Intramuscular route on days 0,3,7,14 & last dose between 21-28 days
or
- In case of Intradermal route 2 doses are to be administered at each visit on days 0,3,7 & 28
Immunoglobulin / Antibodies are administered in case of severe category 3 bites with bleeding.
Those who have had a complete documented course of vaccination in past - need to be administered only 2 booster doses on day 0 & 3
The nodal officer added "We wish to develop a model rabies clinic and expand services to develop it as a state nodal site for rabies training, research and advocacy".
Dr Pankaj Saxena, Joint Director, Sanchari Directorate -Shared that " In the State during year 2023 there were more than 45 lakh animals bite incidents out of which 38.29 Lakh bites were only by dogs mostly stray dogs and four reported deaths due to rabies. NRCP was initiated during 12th five year plan with focus on human health components. In 2021 GoI launched NAPRE with focus on "one health approach''. It had taken care of both Human and Animal care components with strategic involvement of other related sectors i.e. Veterinary, Environment, Forest , Urban & Local bodies. Rabies free cities initiative is also a step towards achieving the Goal with strategies to provide vaccination to dogs and population control.
Dr Abhinav Verma, Animal Welfare Officer, Lucknow Municipal Corporation, highlighted that " 99% of transmission of rabies to humans is by dogs, hence anti rabies vaccination in dogs, population management of dogs is of utmost importance, both of these efforts are carried out by Lucknow municipal corporation to make the city rabies free through street dog population management and anti-rabies vaccination and Licensing of pets. We ensure before licensing that pet is Rabies vaccinated."
Dr. Ansari, Additional Director, Urban Local Bodies highlighted that " Animal Birth Control measures are an important pillar for Rabies Control, and presently the activity is being carried out across 17 urban sites in the state. He also highlighted on mass dog vaccination with the target to vaccinate 70% dog population to achieve the goal of Zero by 30"
The CME was well attended by faculty, residents and interns from different departments of RMLIMS, KGMU and MPH students from Lucknow University.
The media P R Cell activily participated in the program.prof.A.P.Jain,media spokesperson, Ms Meena Jauhari, Public Relations officer and Ms.Nimisha Sonker were present in the program.