Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched the zero Rabies Eradication Program within its jurisdiction.
The program was officially inaugurated on February 27, by MLA Prashant Thakur at the Adya Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant Phadke Auditorium.
The initiative aligns with the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination from India by 2030. Under this program, the PMC aims to eradicate rabies by conducting annual anti-rabies vaccination drives for stray dogs and raising public awareness about the disease.
"Public awareness about post-dog-bite medical treatment is significantly low. As a result, more than 59,000 people worldwide lose their lives to rabies every year. Alarmingly, India alone accounts for 36% of global rabies-related deaths. Rabies is a fatal viral disease, and once symptoms appear, there is no cure. Therefore, vaccinating dogs against rabies is the only preventive measure, just as it is for humans," said an official
To ensure the successful implementation of the Zero Rabies Eradication Program, PMC has authorized the Universal Animal Welfare Organization through an e-tender process. This organization is informed to vaccinate approximately 17,500 stray dogs annually, ward-wise.
Additionally, PMC plans to establish an Integrated Dog Bite Management Protocol and a Model Anti-Rabies Clinic in the near future to further strengthen rabies prevention and treatment measures.
The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kailas Gawde, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Vaibhav Vidhate, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anand Gosavi, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Rupali Mane, and Veterinary Officers Dr. Bhagwan Gite and Dr. Madhulika Lad.
