THE establishment of an antisera plant by the National Institute of Health enabling Pakistan to become self-sufficient in the production of anti-rabies and anti-venom serums, along with anti-tetanus and anti-diphtheria serums, is welcome news. The plant is expected to begin production in mid-February and would help overcome the acute shortage of vaccines across the country. The past year was marred by frequent reports of painful deaths caused by dog bites due to the shortage of anti-rabies serums in public hospitals in Punjab and Sindh. Cases of dog bite are very common in many parts of the country, especially in the provinces mentioned. Their prevalence can be gauged from the fact that between January 2019 and August 2019, more than 11,000 people were bitten by dogs in Sindh alone, leading to at least 25 deaths in the province last year. Similarly, according to some estimates, incidents of snakebites across the country cause up to 50,000 deaths a year.

According to NIH officials, the country requires up to 90,000 vials of the anti-venom serum, about 50,000 vials of the anti-rabies serum and some 30,000 vials each of the anti-tetanus and anti-diphtheria serums. Up till now, the NIH has only been able to produce around one-third of the country’s requirements. However, with the establishment of this plant, it is now expected that by June, Pakistan will not only become self-sufficient in antidotes for these four dangerous maladies but surplus production will also enable it to export lifesaving vaccines to other countries. Hopefully, the production process of these vaccines will not be delayed like the establishment of the production plant itself — the idea of establishing such a plant was first conceived in the early 2000s. That said, this commendable effort might also benefit from a mechanism for tracking the supply, use and expiration of vaccines. The loopholes in Pakistan’s dilapidated healthcare system are there for all to see. It would be wise to not let this achievement fall prey to rampant mismanagement and incompetence.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2020