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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
With more than 3,000 monthly cases, dog bite menace in Chandigarh far from over
The recent death of a state-level kabaddi player from rabies after rescuing a puppy from a drain, and another fatal case in Sirsa where a woman bitten by a stray dog succumbed to the disease, have brought the menace of dog bites and rabies back into sharp focus. In Chandigarh, the fear is palpable. Years ago, a six-year-old from Manimajra died at the PGIMER after a rabid dog bit her on the face. In another case, an 11-year-old was mauled by a stray dog that also attacked several others. A class 2 girl in Sector 13, chased by a pack of dogs, died of a panic attack. Such incidents have forced many, especially senior citizens and children, indoors, too afraid to walk in their sectors, visit markets, or take a stroll in parks, where packs of stray dogs are now a common sight. Fresh data from the UT Health Department reveals that from January to July this year, Chandigarh has recorded 23,198 dog bite cases. July alone saw 4,018 cases, and each month this year has averaged over 3,000 incidents. Meanwhile, neighbouring Panchkula has reported over 3,000 dog bite cases this year. 'Cases of rabies are referred to the PGIMER, while dog bite victims are treated at Sector 19 and Sector 38 dispensaries,' Dr Suman Singh, Director, Health Services, said. Calling for accountability from those who feed stray dogs, Singh added: 'Animal lovers who feed dogs should also take complete responsibility for their vaccination, shelter, and medical needs. Common people cannot be made vulnerable, there has to be safety and security for them.' Others said the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, should neuter stray dogs and provide a designated feeding area in sectors. For Harjit Lakhari, a retired mathematics teacher in Sector 11, the fear is now a part of daily life. 'For the last five years, I have stopped going for walks in my sector or to the Leisure Valley. Packs of stray dogs chase residents. We are scared of falling, breaking our bones, and ending up in the hospital with dog bites. It is unfair that for no fault of ours, we have to be confined to our homes,' the 69-year-old said. Costly treatment While anti-rabies vaccines are available free of cost at government facilities, Human Rabies Immune Globulin — needed for deeper wounds — can cost up to Rs 15,000 in private care. India accounts for over one-third of global rabies deaths, according to The Lancet. National Health Profile data shows 2,863 rabies cases nationwide between 2005 and 2020. Expert advice Experts stress that even after minor exposure — such as licks on intact skin, nibbling of uncovered skin, or small scratches without bleeding — the wound must be washed with mild soap and running water for at least 15 minutes to reduce viral load. 'The victim must rush to the nearest health facility where doctors can begin treatment and vaccination. This must not be ignored,' Singh said.
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
1 in 4 docs faces burnout: Study; strike work-life balance: Expert
Mumbai: The irritable resident doctor and the preoccupied consultant in a hospital could have one thing in common: Burnout. Burnout—classified by the World Health Organisation as an "occupational phenomenon" and not a medical diagnosis—is common among many professions, but medical research says physician burnout could affect the entire society (see box). A new national study has found burnout is more common among female doctors, doctors below 30 years of age, and those who interact directly with patients for over 12 hours a day. According to the study published in JAPI (Journal of Association of Physicians of India), the cause for burnout among Indian doctors could be personal (47%), related to work (31%) or patients (35%), but one in four could be suffering from all three at the same time. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The study's main author Dr Anuj Maheshwari from Lucknow said the reasons for the burnout are multi-fold. "As per the National Health Profile 2018, the doctor-to-patient ratio in India is around 1:11,082, which falls significantly below the recommended ratio of 1:1,000 by the WHO. Resident doctors in India's govt hospitals endure excessively long working hours and heavy workloads," he said. Dr Avinash Supe, former dean of KEM Hospital in Parel, said stress and burnout are common among medical students and doctors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free Trial Dexcom Try Now Undo "Doctors spend long hours at work, there is competition and they have to constantly update themselves with new tech and techniques," he said. Resident doctors encounter various challenges—from inadequate recognition, substandard living conditions, unhealthy dietary practices, insufficient insurance coverage and protection, as well as incidents of violence from patients' relatives, among other issues. "A similar scenario prevails for clinicians working in the private sector as independent clinics, nursing homes or as consultants in corporate hospitals,'' says the JAPI study. Dr Ajay Chandanwale, director of state medical education department, said doctors have to study till 32 years of age to become a super-specialist of some standing. By this time, his classmate who took up software has a house, car, wife and children. "Even after studying for years, there is no guarantee that a doctor will become famous. There is a lot of competition these days, resulting in many sacrificing their personal life and suffering as a result," he added. Doctors from economically poor backgrounds have an additional challenge of repaying loans taken for studies and clinics. "Despite India's literacy rate standing at 74.04%, below the global average literacy rate of 84%, this has resulted in many first-generation healthcare workers who have had to exert additional efforts to educate themselves and support their families. They work longer hours to earn more to pay their loans, making themselves more susceptible to lifestyle-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and a reduced ability to engage in activities that promote stress relief and quality time with loved ones,'' said the study. Burnout, said Dr Supe, affects 3% to 4% of doctors like in most professionals. "As it is, 5%-7% doctors don't practice medicine for various reasons. Many rejoin family business, some migrate along with spouses and cannot work in a foreign country,'' he said, adding this is a big drain on national resources as govt spends lakhs in educating each doctor. Dr Supe, who often gets invited by medical associations to speak on life-work balance, said that youngsters in medicine have to learn to develop a balance between the two in order to not suffer from burnout. Studies from other countries show higher prevalence of burnout: Kuwait (77%), Canada (68%) and France (49%). Dr Maheshwari, main author of JAPI study, said he has seen young students face burnout. "We need to study this phenomenon to suggest solutions." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
