As dog bite cases rise, the central government adds anti-rabies vaccinations to the list of essential medications

The national government has agreed to add anti-rabies vaccinations to the National Health Mission’s essential medicine list in response to the spike in dog bite incidents.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that the number of dog bite incidences in India has increased from 2.18 million in 2022 to 2.75 million in 2023, a 26.5% annual increase.

The cause of around 75% of dog bites is thought to be stray dogs. Even while not every dog bite results in rabies infection, people who are bitten by dogs are usually recommended to have anti-rabies vaccination therapy in order to prevent catching the disease, which is almost always deadly once symptoms manifest.

The National Health Mission lists medications for sickle cell disease and hemophilia among its important pharmaceuticals, in addition to anti-rabies serum.

This implies that Ayushman Arogya Mandir (formerly known as Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres, or AB-HWCs), primary health centers, district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, and community health centers would all have access to the medications needed to treat these illnesses.

In an effort to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs, the NHM will now provide financial assistance for the purchase of medications for sickle cell anemia, rabies, and hemophilia. States have been asked to check quantity and propose budgets carefully.

The national government’s aim on eradicating the illness and screening 7 crore individuals in mission mode for the next three and a half years is one of the grounds for incorporating the inherited blood disorders sickle cell anemia and hemophilia.

The government has chosen to use a “multifaceted” strategy to address the disease’s prevalence and include the population from 0 to 40 years old under the National Health Mission (NHM), with a particular emphasis on 17 chosen states.

Financial burden is imposed by conditions: letter to states, UTS
In a letter to the National Health Mission (NHM), LS Changsan, additional secretary and mission director, said that rabies, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia are all grave medical disorders. “These illnesses place a heavy financial and psychological strain on families, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, counseling, and medication availability for treatment and prevention.”

While hemophilia results in poor blood coagulation, sickle cell anemia is characterized by sickle-shaped red blood cells, anemia, and discomfort. A fatal viral illness is rabies.

The NHM Essential Drugs’ List has been updated to solve the problem and guarantee that healthcare institutions have access to anti-rabies serum, anti-haemophilia factor VII, VIII, and IX, hydroxyurea for sickle cell anemia, and APCC (Activated Prothrombin Complex Concentrates) inhibitors.

“ASSURE AVAILABILITY & SUGGEST SMART BUDGETS”
Additional chief secretaries and senior secretaries of all the states and Union Territories have received the letter, dated January 16.

It asks all states and Union Territories to make sure that sub-centers, primary health centers (PHCs), and urban primary health centers (UPHCs) have access to hydroxyurea and anti-rabies serum.

The letter also asks for Factor VII, VIII, IX, and APCC to be available at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) and District Hospital (DH) based on patient volume and need.

The letter said that under the NHM, hydroxyurea, anti-rabies serum, Factor VII, VIII, IX, and APCC would be purchased with financial assistance to lower the out-of-pocket costs borne by patients with sickle cell anemia, rabies, and hemophilia.

The letter said, “States are requested to rationally propose their budget for factors and APCC and closely monitor the quantities.”