July 12, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 26, 1428

NAWABSHAH, July 11: Menace of stray dogs is assuming an alarming proportion in different localities of the city giving rise to dog-bite cases and creating a frightening atmosphere on roads and streets.

The population had gone to an extent where dogs roam in busy commercial areas and streets scaring shoppers, residents and commuters.

People returning after night duties and those going to mosques for Isha and Fajr prayers suffer the most as the dogs not only bark but try to attack thus forcing them to run.

Complaints regarding dogs wandering on roads and streets had been received from Manuabad, Essarpura, Gharibabad, Bhangwar Colony, Medical College Hospital, Taj Colony, Mohini Bazaar, Maryam road, Hussaini road, Ghulam Hyder Shah Colony, Police Lines, Mehran Colony, Railway Colony and other areas.

Citizens had complained that the TMA did not launch an effective anti-pye dog campaign.

It’s the responsibility of the TMA and the Health Department to begin a campaign but both shift the responsibility on each other. The TMA Nawabshah had been reported to be running short of staff to kill stray dogs.

There was also shortage of Anti Rabies Vaccine (ARV) in the Nawabshah Medical College and Executive District Office Health.

The National Institute of Health Islamabad supplies vaccines to government hospitals but there was always shortage in supplies because where there was a demand of 100 only 5-10 vaccines were made available.

The Executive District Officer Health Dr Arif Qazi told Dawn that there was a shortage of the ARV for which he had written letters to the NIH Islamabad. He said the department had mere four viols of vaccine which were not sufficient for the district having 33 basic health units, 11 rural health centres, 14 dispensaries and a Taluka Hospital.

He further said that his office was also facing shortage of Anti Snake Venom (ASV). He said representatives of the WHO also contacted him regarding the demand of ARV and ASV due to flood emergency and he had sent them the requirement after informing that there was no flood emergency but shortage of vaccine.

The Medical Superintendent Nawabshah Medical College Hospital, Dr Gulshan Memon was not available for comments however another official informed that the hospital received only 10 vials which were not sufficient for a teaching hospital covering a large area.

Taluka Nazim Abdul Rauf Khan said that he also received several complaints of stray dogs in the city and could not run the campaign due to limited budget. He said the new budget had been passed and a campaign would be launched throughout the city in three days.