KASUR: The non-availability of anti-rabies vaccine at the Rural Health Centre in Allahabad claimed the life of a retired schoolteacher while his son is struggling for survival.

Haji Muhammad Baloch of Bhagiwal Tibba village said his father Nazir Ahmed and brother Abdul Razzaq, 35, had been bitten by a stray dog on April 1. He said the staff at the RHC in Allahabad refused to provide treatment because of the shortage of the anti-rabies vaccine.

He said the victims were taken to a faith healer before being admitted to THQ in Chunian where they were administered 14 injections each in as many days.

Baloch said his father died three days after the completion of the anti-rabies course. He alleged that the anti-rabies vaccine was not genuine.

He said he shifted his brother Razzaq to a hospital in Lahore where doctors revised the anti-rabies vaccine as they said the patient was still infected with rabies. He said each injection cost the family Rs7,000.

EDO (Health) Dr Abdul Shakoor said that it was the responsibility of the administration of the Allahabad RHC to manage the anti-rabies vaccine. He said that officials found negligent in an inquiry would be taken to task.

DCO Adnan Arshad Aulakh refused to comment and said he would hold a meeting with health officials.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2015

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