Federal ombudsman orders prompt supply of rabies vaccine to ICT hospitals 

ISLAMABAD: Responding to a public outcry over the critical shortage of rabies vaccine in government healthcare facilities in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi has ordered the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) to expedite the availability of the essential vaccine.

To address the pressing issue, the ombudsman summoned senior officials from both Drap and NIH to investigate the root causes behind the unavailability of the rabies vaccine in government hospitals.

A Drap probe conducted on the orders of the ombudsman into the reasons behind the NIH's failure to manufacture this crucial vaccine has revealed a series of issues contributing to the vaccine shortage, including bureaucratic delays, gross negligence, mismanagement, and fluctuations in the dollar rate, which have exacerbated the problem.

Mr Qureshi has stressed the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the vaccine shortage and implementing proactive measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The matter is currently being pursued by the office of the Wafaqi Mohtasib, and all stakeholders involved have pledged their commitment to promptly resolve the issue and ensure a steady supply of the rabies vaccine in government hospitals.