The stock of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) in the associated hospital of the Doon Medical College (formerly called Doon Hospital) has again exhausted causing problems to the patients. The vaccine was not available in the hospital for most part of last month and first week of February as the hospital authorities claimed that they are not in a position to purchase it. After a furor, the state health directorate dispatched 100 vials of the Vaccine on February 07. However this small consignment too got finished and on Monday patients were advised by the hospital staff to purchase the vaccine from outside. Interestingly no written message was pasted outside the injection room about the absence of vaccine as was done on previous occasions.
The pharmacist posted in the injection room of the hospital confirmed that the stock of vaccine is over. He said that the hospital administration is informed about the shortage. The Principal Medical Superintendent (PMS) of hospital, Dr R S Aswal said that the hospital would send the indent for vaccines to the health directorate. However one of the pharmacist associated with the hospital said that health department is providing only 100 vials of the vaccine to the hospital despite of the fact that the requirement at the biggest hospital is considerable.
The associated hospital of DMC is the only government facility in Dehradun and adjoining areas and 100-120 animal bite cases arrive daily to have the shot of vaccine. Interestingly the hospital stopped purchasing Anti rabies serum last year to save costs. The serum is injected in the wound within ten days of the bite as an extra precautionary measure. The cost of serum is Rs 1500 per vial in the market. However the anti rabies vaccine is very essential and is administered intra dermal or intra muscular four times in a fixed schedule. The vaccine is injected on 0, 3,7 and 28 day of animal bite. The vaccine is injected free of cost in the government hospitals where there is facility of cold storage.