National Medical Commission directs hospitals to maintain mandatory anti-rabies vaccine stocks

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a public notice directing all government and private hospitals across India to maintain mandatory stocks of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) at all times.

The directive follows a Supreme Court order dated November 7, which issued strict and time-bound instructions to the Centre, states and Union Territories to secure public institutions from stray dog intrusion.

Referring to the apex court’s order, the NMC highlighted the need to protect educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, inter-state bus terminals and railway stations from stray dogs through both structural and administrative measures.

Supreme Court directions on stray dog control

Under the court’s order, all government and private educational institutions, including schools, colleges and hostels, as well as hospitals, medical facilities, sports complexes, stadiums, bus depots and railway stations, must be identified and secured within eight weeks. Measures include fencing, boundary walls, gates and other preventive infrastructure to stop stray dog ingress.

Each institution has also been instructed to appoint a nodal officer responsible for maintaining cleanliness, preventing stray dog entry and coordinating with municipal authorities. Details of the nodal officer must be prominently displayed on the premises and formally communicated to the local municipal body.

The order further mandates quarterly inspections to ensure that no stray dog habitats exist within or near institutional premises. Any stray dog found inside such facilities must be removed immediately, it said.

Mandatory ARV and RIG stocks in hospitals

Emphasising patient safety and rabies prevention, the NMC said all government and private hospitals must maintain uninterrupted stocks of anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin.

“All government and private hospitals must maintain a mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and immunoglobulin (RIG) at all times. All medical colleges/ institutions are, therefore, requested to take necessary actions as per the directives of the Supreme Court,” the public notice stated.

Medical colleges and institutions have been asked to take immediate action to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions, the NMC added.

The Commission has also enclosed a letter from Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava addressed to secretaries of the Government of India and chief secretaries of states and Union Territories, reiterating the court’s order and urging strict implementation.

The move is aimed at strengthening rabies prevention, ensuring emergency preparedness in hospitals and improving public safety amid rising concerns over stray dog-related incidents.

PTI