LAXMIPUR, Apr 18: Laxmipur residents are facing a severe health crisis as rabies vaccines have run out at the district's Sadar Hospital and upazila health complexes.
The shortage has persisted for three months, leaving hundreds of patients vulnerable after dog and cat bites.
According to sources, the district hospital receives over a hundred patients daily seeking rabies shots. Demand has also raised in upazila health complexes.
But patients arriving at emergency units after dog or cat bites are being told there is no vaccine. Doctors often advise them to purchase it outside, where prices are much higher.
The District Health Department confirmed that rabies cases have increased recently, especially from dog and cat attacks, driving up vaccine demand.
However, supply from the Directorate General of Health Services has been halted for the past three months, leaving hospital stocks empty.
Local businessman Kabir Hossain said, "After being scratched by a cat, I rushed to the hospital but was told there was no vaccine. I had to buy one from a pharmacy for Tk 480. I could afford it, but many cannot. Why is there a shortage in government supply when it is available in shops? The government must act quickly."
Abdul Malek, a marketing officer at Incepta Pharmaceuticals, noted that pharmacies are receiving large orders. "Monthly demand in Laxmipur town is between 500 and 700 doses. If the hospital resumes supply, this private demand would likely drop to around 100," he said.
Dr Arup Pal, Residential Medical Officer (RMO) at Sadar Hospital, stressed that rabies is fatal if vaccines are not administered on time. "Patients must take four to five doses. Recently, scratches from pet cats have become common. Owners must be more cautious," he said. He added that while they see over a hundred patients daily, the hospital cannot provide the shots unless patients bring them from outside.
Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Abu Hasan Shahin confirmed the crisis. "We have no rabies vaccine stock as government supply has stopped. We managed to buy 200 doses locally, but they ran out in just 20 days. We have submitted separate requisitions for each upazila. Hopefully, the shortage will be resolved soon." He said.
