The supply of rabies vaccines to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has remained suspended for more than six and a half months, causing significant hardship for patients seeking treatment.
During this period, hospital authorities procured vaccines on their own initiative and provided them free of charge. However, that arrangement has also recently been discontinued, leaving many patients without access to the life-saving vaccine.
Hospital sources say around 270–280 patients receive rabies vaccinations at RMCH daily, requiring approximately 8,500 doses each month. At present, patients are being turned away due to the shortage.
Rashed Ripon, a relative of a patient, said many people have failed to receive the vaccine at the hospital. “We later found the vaccine at a few pharmacies in Lakshmipur, where each dose costs Tk480. While it can be shared to reduce costs, it is the government’s responsibility to supply these vaccines to hospitals,” he said.
Another patient, Sanjay Roy, said he was bitten by a dog and advised to take the vaccine immediately. “When I came to the hospital, I was told there was no vaccine. I am now very worried,” he said.
Bandhan Hossain, another patient, expressed frustration over the situation. “It is alarming that a hospital does not have vaccines for such a deadly disease. We are forced to search outside, but it is not easily available,” he said.
Shankar K Biswas, spokesperson for RMCH, said there has been no government supply for the past six and a half months. “We managed to procure vaccines locally and provide them free to patients, but that has also stopped recently,” he said.
He added that efforts are underway to resume free vaccination services by arranging funds locally within the next two to three months. “We have discussed the matter with the hospital director and are continuing efforts to ensure better services,” he said.
Hospital authorities said that regular government supply would significantly improve the situation and ensure uninterrupted treatment for patients.
