More facilities to treat rabies at Malappuram hospitals

MALAPPURAM: As the stray dog menace in several parts of the district continues unabated, medical authorities have come up with some measures to provide enhanced facilities at district hospitals where currently, the treatment for severe dog bites is not available. The District Hospital in Tirur, where 16 cases of stray dog attacks were reported in a month, will soon get an Intensive Care Unit and a special isolation cell for rabid cases along with newly appointed staff.

“We have conducted an inspection at the Tirur district hospital as part of providing more facilities to cater to the increasing number of rabid cases in the area,” said Dr. A Shibulal, Deputy District Medical Officer, Malappuram. More doctors and nursing staff will also be appointed. The lack of treatments and referrals to Medical Colleges had invited the wrath of the public in Tirur. But according to the Medical department, the treatment for severe dog bites and rabies cases are only available at the General and Medical College hospitals.

“Severe bites can only be treated at Hospitals having ICU/CCU and isolation cell. Treatment and vaccine including the Intra-Dermal Rabies Vaccination (IDRV) for minor bites are available at all hospitals,” he said. Recently, six cases of severe dog bites in Tirur were referred to Kozhikode Medical College which caused a public outcry on the lack of facilities. The district has a dearth of doctors in all its 142 public hospitals to cater to the population. The district medical department has sought the appointment of more doctors under the National Rural Health Mission.