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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
RIG availability at public health facilities is a concern: Survey
New Delhi: A key factor in reducing or eliminating deaths caused by rabies - a deadly viral infection that spreads to people from the saliva of infected animals, like a dog or cat - is timely administration of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) doses. If the person who suffered animal bite has wound/s with bleeding, administration of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) in addition to the vaccine is advised. A nationwide survey of 534 health facilities has revealed that while ARVs are available in most public health facilities , RIG is not. Researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Delhi and over a dozen other medical institutions surveyed health facilities in 60 districts across 15 states. They found that while ARV was available in nearly 80% of the public health facilities, RIG was available in only 20% of them. A report published in The Lancet Regional - Southeast Asia on the basis of the nationwide sample survey showsthat more than half of the private health facilities (55%) providing ARV also had RIG. Both ARV and RIG are provided free of cost at public health facilities. But private facilities charge anywhere between 300 and 600 per dose for ARV and between 3,000 and 6,000 per dose for RIG. ARV triggers the body's immune system to produce antibodies against the rabies virus , providing long-term immunity. RIG, on the other hand, contains rabies antibodies and provides immediate protection against the virus. The study calls for making RIG available at primary health care facilities alongside ARV.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Dog lovers seek relaxations in curtailing strays
Trichy: Dog lovers from People for Animal Trichy chapter conducted a demonstration near Trichy Junction railway station on Sunday to censure the recent Supreme Court's directive urging the Delhi local body authorities to shift stray dogs to shelters. Expressing apprehensions over Tamil Nadu implementing a similar strategy against strays, the protesters said that animal birth control (ABC) and anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) drives are sufficient to reduce the stray dog population. "Just because of a few dog bite incidents, it is not right for us to punish all dogs. Aggressive dogs can be selectively removed from roads and treated by the local body. Locking all street dogs in a shelter is not practical and cannot be a wise move," Ajay Barath, vice president, People for Animals, Trichy said. Holding placards, the protesters, including women, said that people must come forward to adopt community dogs instead of spending on exotic bred dogs. Stating that there are provisions for initiating mercy killing for rabies infected stray dogs, the protesters claimed that restricting the movement of community dogs within a shelter will be like lodging everyone in prison for the criminal offences committed by a few. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo Demanding sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs for co-existence, the protesters sought a ban on commercial breeding of exotic dog species to promote community dogs as pets. Reacting to questions on stray dogs chasing and biting commuters on roads, the protesters claimed that canines cause disruptions only if they were provoked by humans. They also expressed hope that protests organised by dog lovers across the country may tone down the stance of the judiciary in handling stray dogs. 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.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Hospice funds scandal takes toll
In the 1990s, when Aids meant abandonment and death, Wat Phrabat Nam Phu in Lop Buri opened its gates to the sick and dying. Abbot Phra Alongkot Tikkapanyo gave them food, shelter, and care. It was a noble mission in fearful times. Three decades later, the temple is now at the centre of a scandal, sparking public disillusionment. The controversy began with allegations that a spirit medium, Seksan Sapsubbsakul, better known as "Mor Bee", had embezzled public donations for the temple. He denied wrongdoing, saying he raised the funds for Phra Alongkot as an individual, not for the temple. If true, this loophole allows the abbot to spend the money ungoverned as he sees fit, although this violates both monastic codes and donor expectations. But as the story unfolded, the focus shifted. The abbot, 72, initially seen as the victim of alleged fraud, now faces questions not only about how donations are managed but also about whether the hospice has outlived its purpose. Indeed, the bigger question is whether Wat Phrabat Nam Phu is still a necessary refuge for HIV and Aids patients in an age of free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. Or has it become a fundraising machine cashing in on patients' suffering? The universal healthcare system now provides ARVs to people with HIV and Aids. Patients can live long, healthy lives in society. The number of people developing full-blown Aids has plummeted. Yet the temple frequently issues urgent calls for donations, warning that patients will die without its care. Some former volunteers and medical staff tell a darker story. They said the temple was resistant to ARV treatment, kept poor sanitation, and lacked medical equipment, leaving patients in poor conditions. In 2014, a Bangkok Post investigation found some temple bank accounts in the abbot's name. A Swiss nurse said she faced death threats and was driven out after giving ARVs to patients, who then got better. Efforts to set up an in-house ARV clinic were also quashed. At present, 125 Aids patients live at the hospice, about 60 of them bedridden. They genuinely need care. But while the temple constantly cites financial crises and dying patients to gain sympathy, media reports reveal abandoned buildings stacked with unused donated medicines and equipment. The hospice lets visitors view terminal patients in public wards, like a human zoo. It also displays statues made from patients' bones and ashes, bags of ashes, and jars of preserved organs in a solution, seemingly to amplify the horror and attract more donations. Equally troubling, the temple bought 2,000 rai of land, but it is registered in several individuals' names. A state-of-the-art sports academy with multiple soccer fields has been built, but ownership is unclear. These projects might have value, but they were not what donors thought they were funding. The pattern is familiar: use powerful emotional appeals to attract donations, maintain minimal oversight, and expand into unrelated ventures. Public health authorities looked away; the clergy looked away. The abbot's charisma and fame, bolstered by national awards, honorary degrees, and celebrity backing, kept the money flowing. Phra Alongkot has also been honoured with a high ecclesiastical title. For three decades, Wat Phrabat Nam Phu has been untouchable. The state and the Sangha Council failed to question whether the hospice was still relevant, whether the funds were spent as promised, or whether patients received proper care. Supporters say many residents have nowhere else to go, even with ARV access. The temple also funds schooling for 2,000 children with HIV and other needy children. These needs are real. But life-or-death fundraising appeals from Aids wards, while money is spent elsewhere, betray donor trust. It may also be illegal. The blame goes beyond one abbot. This scandal is a symptom of a deeper disease: the lack of transparent financial management in temples. Temples handle vast sums of public donations with almost no independent oversight. This is a recipe for greed and corruption. The Sangha Supreme Council has recently ordered temples to form committees, including outsiders and accountants, to oversee donations. It is a start. But without enforcement, monitoring and consequences, it will change little. Big temples with millions in donations need clear, professional audit systems. Smaller rural temples need help to set them up. The lesson from Wat Phrabat Nam Phu is clear: no temple is above scrutiny. Public donations are not personal funds. Without independent audits and full disclosure, the scandals will keep coming, and public faith will keep eroding.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Delhi toddler turned away from hospital after stray dog bite as anti-rabies vaccine unavailable despite SC orders
Just three days after the Supreme Court directed authorities to ensure prompt treatment for dog-bite victims and maintain sufficient anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) stocks, a 22-month-old girl was reportedly turned away from Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan in Delhi on Thursday night after being scratched by a stray dog, reported TOI. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency The child's father, Munna Kumar of Radhey Shyam Park, Krishna Nagar, said his daughter was playing outside a relative's home in Noida near Sector 78 when a stray dog attacked her, leaving scratches on both thighs. "She was scratched on both legs. We rushed to Hedgewar Hospital in Karkardooma around 9pm, but the doctors said they didn't have the vaccine and asked us to go to another hospital," he told TOI . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mystical Forest Vase: Hot Sale topgadgetlife Shop Now Undo Records reviewed by TOI show the case was logged as a Category II dog bite, involving minor scratches without bleeding, with a note stating, 'Injection ARV N/A and refer to any govt hospital for ARV inj.' The family then proceeded to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, where staff told them to return the next morning. The child eventually received the first ARV dose on Friday morning, nearly 12 hours after the incident, with a second dose scheduled for August 18. Live Events Vaccine shortages A senior Hedgewar Hospital official told the media outlet that ARV supplies had been requested three months ago from the central procurement agency, with delivery expected next week. A GTB official added that while vaccines are available 24/7, they would investigate why the child could not receive treatment overnight. The Supreme Court's August 11 order stressed on immediate treatment for bite victims, public disclosure of vaccine stocks, creation of helplines, and sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs within 6–8 weeks. Thursday's incident highlights the gap between court directives and reality on the ground, stressing the urgent need for better stock monitoring and timely access to lifesaving vaccines across Delhi's hospitals
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Child scratched by stray turned away by hosp due to lack of rabies vaccine'
New Delhi: Barely three days after the Supreme Court directed authorities to ensure immediate treatment for dog-bite victims and maintain adequate anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) stocks, a 22-month-old girl scratched on both thighs by a stray dog was allegedly turned away from the Delhi govt-run Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan on Thursday night due to unavailability of the vaccine. The child's father, Munna Kumar, a resident of Radhey Shyam Park in Krishna Nagar, told TOI that earlier in the day, his daughter was playing outside her relative's home in Noida, near Sector 78, when a stray dog attacked her. "She was scratched on both legs. We rushed to Hedgewar Hospital in Karkardooma around 9pm, but the doctors said they didn't have the vaccine and asked us to go to another hospital," he alleged. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi According to the outpatient casualty card, which was reviewed by TOI, the attending doctor recorded the case as "dog bite" Category II — which, under WHO guidelines, includes nibbling of uncovered skin, minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding. The note further read: "Injection ARV N/A and refer to any govt hospital for ARV inj." Kumar said they then rushed to Delhi govt-run Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, where staff told them to return in the morning. "It was already late at night, and we were worried about delaying the treatment, but they said the vaccine would be given only the next day," he said. The child was finally administered the first dose of ARV at GTB Hospital on Friday morning — nearly half a day after the attack — and her father was asked to return on Aug 18 for the second dose. According to a senior official of Hedgewar Hospital, "The demand was raised almost three months ago with the central procurement agency, and we are still waiting for the supply. We are expecting it next week." When contacted, a senior GTB Hospital official said they were unaware of the matter but would look into why the vaccine was not administered at night, adding that anti-rabies vaccines are available round-the-clock. In its Aug 11 order, SC had emphasised that civic agencies must capture and house stray dogs in shelters within 6-8 weeks, sterilise and vaccinate them, and — most crucially — ensure bite victims receive "immediate treatment". The court also directed that vaccine availability data be made public and helplines be created for bite cases. Thursday's incident highlights the gap between the apex court's directives and ground realities. The lack of ARV at Hedgewar Hospital, forcing the child's family to travel to another facility to get the lifesaving injection, underscores the urgent need for real-time stock monitoring across all hospitals. 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 Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
