KARACHI - The Rabies in Asia Foundation (RIF) in collaboration with the WHO and provincial govts will open animal bite treatment centres across the country to provide required treatment, including high quality vaccine to people in need.

Experts speaking at a programme, organised at Indus Hospital, to commemorate World Rabies Day 2012 said rabies, though largely ignored, is a major threat for children and adults in the country.The victims are mainly the inhabitants of less developed areas particulalry urban slums and rural areas where little consideration is extended towards proper handling (including provision for elimination) of carriers (mainly dogs and occasionally other animals). The programme was attended by middle and high school children, parents, teachers, health care givers, hospital and clinic administrators, as well as city, provincial and WHO appointed decision makers.
The session held in Karachi was addressed by Dr Quaid Saeed, National Programme Officer WHO Country Office and Dr Huma Qureshi, Director Pakistan Medical Research Council. They announced that this much neglected and fatal disease is finally being noticed by Health authorities and designated centers will be functional soon in both rural and urban centers of the country.
Dr Naseem Salahuddin, Member WHO Expert Panel for Rabies and Head, Department of Infectious Diseases at the Indus Hospital, offered to make The Indus Hospital the Training Center for all Sindh centers.
Dr Seemin Jamali, Director of Emergency Department, JPMC emphasized the tremendous importance of immediate care by washing bite wounds thoroughly and reaching the nearest treatment center for further management.
Later the children were treated to a magic and puppet show for rabies awareness.
Lectures on rabies will follow during the rest of the week in some medical colleges. Meanwhile WHO and RIA will also conduct free pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccination for the SOS village children.