Rabies vaccine shortage hits Bagmati province
Summary
Bagmati province faces a severe shortage of anti-rabies vaccines, forcing patients to seek expensive private treatment as provincial hospitals run out of supplies.
Key Points
- Bagmati province hospitals are facing a critical shortage of anti-rabies vaccines due to depleted stocks.
- Federal Ministry of Health allocated only 15,000 vials for fiscal year 2025-26, insufficient for the province's monthly demand of 10,000 vials.
- Hetauda Hospital used Rs1 million from its budget to procure vaccines while private pharmacies charge up to Rs675 per dose.
- Bagmati Health Minister Kiran Thapa announced plans to decentralize procurement to prevent future shortages.
