The Indian Express   18.08.2012

Anti-rabies injection to cost Rs 100 now: MC panel

Now the victims of dogbite cases would have to pay less for their
treatment at the Sector 19 dispensary as the members of the Finance and
Contract Committee of the Municipal Corporation on Friday decided that
instead of paying Rs 350 per injection, the residents would be required
to pay Rs 100 per injection. The rest of the cost would be borne by the
MC.

The victims of dogbites are required to get five injections
administered. At present, each injection costs Rs 350. The total cost of
the treatment comes out to be Rs 1,750. The victims now would have to
pay Rs 100 per injection, and the cost would be the same for people of
all income groups. Around 7,000 victims visit the dispensary in Sector
19 annually. Apart from city residents, those from the adjoining areas
also come to the dispensary.

Councillor Subhash Chawla, a member of the committee, said that
the decision would prove to be a big relief for the dogbite victims.
Some of them cannot afford the injections and leave the treatment
midway. Subsidising the injections would cost the civic body Rs 75 lakh a
year.

Rajesh Gupta, another member of the committee, said that keeping
in view the menace created by stray dogs, the decision was taken. This
would provide a facility to the residents, especially those who cannot
afford the cost of treatment.

The decision is likely to be implemented within a month’s time
once the minutes of the meeting are approved. The MC has been unable to
tackle the problem of stray dogs. A large number of dogbite cases are
reported every day.