BIRGUNJ: With the rising number of patients with bites from stray and domesticated animals, Narayani Sub Regional Hospital is struggling to meet demands of Anti-Rabies Vaccine of late.

Moreover, the hospital, a major heath care institution for people of Mid-Tarai, has temporarily closed down its vaccination service against rabies citing an acute shortage of the drug, compelling patients to pay more for the vaccine elsewhere.

According to the Hospital, earlier, the Central Regional Medical Store, Hetauda used to disburse 800 vaccines per month. However, the hospital received only 400 vaccines this month which went out of stock forcing a temporary shutdown of the operations.

Even though the situation has persisted for a month now, the concerned authorities have turned a blind eye to the shortage.