PMA launched free dog-bite vaccination services

KARACHI- Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) held a press conference at PMA House Karachi. The conference was chaired by General Secretary PMA Karachi Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro. Among the attendants were Dr Shershah Syed, Ex-General Secretary PMA Karachi and Dr Ismail Memon, Joint Secretary PMA Karachi. It was announced by the officials that a free dog-bite vaccination services would be started at PMA House Garden Road Karachi and PMA’s Karachi Central Hospital in FB Area for the citizens of Karachi.

 



 

Talking to the conference, Dr Ghafoor Shoro said that PMA, withhelp of a USA based Karachi citizen, was launching free dog-bite vaccination services. This service was free of cost to facilitate citizens of Karachi.

General Secretary PMA was extremely concerned about the situation of dog bite and associated condition. He said that the victims were unable to receive basic, initial and emergency medical aid. The patients needed surgical cleaning of wound and suturing of traumatic tissue caused by rabid dog bite. Unfortunately the status of dog was usually not known in many cases. Hence, as a preventive measure the victim received vaccination against rabies.

Dr Ghafoor appreciated the provision of vaccination to dog bite victims by Civil Hospital Karachi, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Indus Hospital and Aga Khan Hospital. He said that the government should take immediate steps to prevent dog bites in the community on emergency basis.  Any citizen whether men, women or children should not suffer because of dog bite. He further stated that no Pakistani should face traumatic death because of this condition.

Dr Shershah Syed said that with the support of USA based Karachi citizen, the rabies situation in Karachi was launching rabies vaccination services at two different sites of the city. He said that PMA had received reports from the PMA branches in Larkana, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Mirpur Khas, Thatta and Jacobabad. It was reported that dog bite was not uncommon in above mentioned cities and other part of rural Sindh. He said that PMA was thankful to all those citizens of Karachi who were contacting to help rabid victims.

Joint Secretary PMA Karachi demanded that all municipal authorities should start a campaign for peaceful extinction of rabid dogs and regularization of street and pet dogs. He said that authorities should have a permanent system regarding monitoring of animals in the community. He urged that the animal friendly organizations to help government in this campaign.  He said concerned heath department should deal with this situation on emergency basis.

The PMA officials appealed to print and electronic media representatives to create awareness regarding rabid dogs and the complications associated with disease. They also appealed to owners and administration of schools to create awareness regarding this disease.