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Vaccine crisis hits hospitals
THERE IS a sudden crisis of anti-rabies vaccines in the region. The vaccine is completely out of stock at the district hospitals, including Moti Lal Nehru Hospital. The vaccine is reportedly also not available in Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, Kaushambi and Chitrakut districts. The hospital administration has sent reminders to the Medical and Health Directorate Lucknow to immediately provide fund for the purchase of vaccine. Due to vaccine crisis in Pratapgarh and Fatehpur districts .
THERE IS a sudden crisis of anti-rabies vaccines in the region. The vaccine is completely out of stock at the district hospitals, including Moti Lal Nehru (Colvin) Hospital.
The vaccine is reportedly also not available in Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, Kaushambi and Chitrakut districts.
The hospital administration has sent reminders to the Medical and Health Directorate Lucknow to immediately provide fund for the purchase of vaccine.
Due to vaccine crisis in Pratapgarh and Fatehpur districts atleast 100 to 120 dog bite cases get daily reported from there at Beli and Colvin Hospitals.
The Colvin Hospital alone report above 50 dog bite cases daily, which also includes patients who are completing the anti-rabies vaccine course. In this way the hospital's monthly requirement comes to around 1400-1500 vaccines.
The vaccine was provided free to the patients, whereas in the market a vaccine costs between Rs 265-270. However, about four days back the vaccine got completely out of stock at the hospital.
Colvin Hospital chief medical superintendent Dr RD Ram said in the beginning of the year they received a budget of Rs 4 lakh for anti-rabies vaccine. We purchased 2250 injections but it got consumed within three months.
"We took an advance of Rs 1 lakh and again purchased 480 injection.
But they too ended four days back. Now neither we have the budget nor vaccine supply from the CMSD store Lucknow.
‘With heavy demand of anti-rabies vaccine a budget of atleast Rs 25 lakh is required. We have already forwarded our demand to the government, as vaccine crisis will certainly affect the poor and labour class people," he added.
The vaccine has also become almost out of stock at the Beli Hospital. Here the vaccine is supplied by UP Health System Development Project and the daily demand comes to around 50 to 75 vaccines.
Beli Hospital CMSD Incharge and senior consultant Dr Sandeep Choudhary said in March 2005 they received about 11000 anti-rabies vaccine from UPHSDP.
Right now only 232 vaccines are left in the stock. With an average demand of 60 to 70 vaccines daily the stock may last for a couple of days only. The dog bite cases come here from as far as Jaunpur, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Kaushambi.
"However we are trying our best to get the fresh stock of vaccine by next month," he said.
