Critical rabies treatment missing in four out of five public health centres across India, says study
New Delhi, June 16 (ANI/Alaryana): A recent study published in The Lancet journal has found that nearly 80 percent of public health facilities in India lack rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), a crucial treatment for patients exposed to the deadly disease. The shortage is worst at primary care level, with almost no centers stocking RIG, posing serious risks to patients.
The study, conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), surveyed 534 health facilities across 60 districts in 15 states and found that anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) were available in nearly 80 percent of public sector health facilities. However, RIG was not found in most centers, with only 20 percent maintaining stocks.
The shortage is particularly alarming at primary care level, where over 94 percent of facilities lacked RIG supplies. Urban primary health centres had even fewer stocks, with only 1.8 percent maintaining them.
India has made significant progress in fighting rabies, but the current treatment shortage threatens to undermine the country's goal of eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
Rabies immunoglobulin is crucial for treating patients exposed to the virus, particularly those who suffer from category III bites. However, the study found that RIG was available in only one in five public sector health facilities.
The researchers warned that the scarcity of RIG creates problems for healthcare providers, who are forced to refer patients to higher centers, potentially delaying critical treatment. This can lead to increased costs and a heavier workload on advanced centers.
"Rabies immunoglobulins are crucial for managing category III animal bites," said the study authors. "However, our study revealed that RIGs were available in only one in five public sector health facilities."
The study suggests that regional variations exist in treatment availability, with southern states showing better preparedness than northern and northeastern regions.
Private healthcare sectors have shown a contrast in treatment patterns, with more than half of facilities offering ARV also maintaining RIG stocks. However, private care remains financially inaccessible to the rural poor who face the highest rabies risk.
To address the shortage, researchers suggest using rabies monoclonal antibodies as a solution. These laboratory-manufactured antibodies are produced in large quantities with consistent quality and fewer side effects, making them more cost-effective than traditional RIG.
The study highlights systemic gaps in supply, training, and follow-up care, which must be addressed to ensure that patients receive adequate treatment for rabies.
The study's findings will serve as a wake-up call for the government and healthcare officials to take immediate action to address the shortage of RIG and improve access to proper treatment for those affected by rabies.