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.