An acute shortage of anti-rabies vaccines in Gopalganj over the past 17 days has put hundreds of lives at risk as government hospitals have failed to provide the life-saving injection to victims of animal bites.
As rabies is a fatal disease, timely administration of anti-rabies vaccine is the only effective means of preventing infection. Although the vaccine is normally distributed free of charge through government hospitals, patients bitten by dogs, cats, and wild animals are now being turned away due to the ongoing supply crisis.
According to the Gopalganj Civil Surgeon’s Office, six hospitals in the district usually distribute around 6,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccine every month under a government programme. On average, nearly 200 patients received the vaccine daily. However, due to supply disruption for the last 17 days, not a single patient has been vaccinated at government facilities.
The shortage has also affected private pharmacies, where the vaccine is rarely available. Patients allege that taking advantage of the crisis, some pharmacies are selling the vaccine at inflated prices. A vaccine that normally costs Tk 500 is reportedly being sold for up to Tk 800 in some shops.
Victims and their families have voiced deep concern. Meazzem Hossain, a resident of Chandradighalia village in Sadar upazila and father of dog-bite victim Sakib Hossain, said, “A dog has bitten my son, but we did not receive the vaccine at the hospital. Most pharmacies did not have it either. I finally found one shop selling the vaccine for Tk 800. This crisis must be resolved immediately.”
Urfi Hosne Ara Begum, mother of cat-bite victim Hridoy Ahmed from Gopalganj Sadar, said rabies remains a deadly threat. “Once symptoms appear, survival is rare. Preventive vaccines must be ensured. After searching many places, I managed to buy the vaccine at a higher price and have it administered. Authorities concerned must restore normal supply without delay,” she said.
Pharmacy owners also cited supply issues. Amit Ghosh, owner of New Nupur Pharmacy in Batasapatti area, said pharmaceutical companies had not supplied anti-rabies vaccines for the last six months. “As a result, we have had no stock, and the shortage continues in pharmacies,” he added.
Dr Jibitesh Biswas, superintendent of the 250-bed Gopalganj General Hospital, said the hospital earlier received between 600 and 700 doses per cycle, which was later reduced to 200–300 doses before supply was completely halted. “Patients bitten by dogs, cats, and wild animals are coming here daily but returning without vaccination. We have formally informed higher authorities and requested immediate supply,” he said.
Acknowledging the crisis, Gopalganj Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Sayed Mohammad Faruk said the matter had been reported to higher authorities. “We expect the vaccine supply to normalize soon. To prevent overpricing, mobile courts will be conducted to ensure that no one charges excessive prices,” he said.
