Kathmandu, April 14

The Ministry of Health has said it will take more than a month for it to procure anti-rabies vaccines as it has to follow the procurement rules.

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division had recently asked the ministry to supply anti-rabies vaccines. “The health ministry said it will take more than a month to procure anti-rabies vaccines,” said Dr Kedar Century, director at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Teku.

The division had demanded emergency supply after it ran out of stock of the vaccines. The problem of vaccine shortage arose after the earlier tender for procurement of anti-rabies vaccines was cancelled. Later, another tender was issued for the procurement of the vaccines. “We have been informed that a small quantity of vaccines have already arrived in India and it will take not more than two weeks for the arrival of the vaccines in the country,” added Dr Century. There is a demand for 1,000 vials of vaccines per day in the country.

As per Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, a total of 2,500 dog-bite patients visit the hospital for anti-rabies vaccine every week.

As per the division there is a demand for 25,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccine per month in the country. “We had decided to buy 46,000 vials of the vaccine through emergency procurement.