By Hou Akot Hou
Health officials in Aweil West County of Northern Bahr El Ghazal state have appealed to the community to always rush victims of dog bits to get anti-rabies vaccine, immediately.
Mr. Lual Khamis, a health worker said a dozen of patients incapacitated have been admitted to Nyamlel health facility.
“You need to bring your patient immediately when a bite happens,” the health worker advised.
He said that five people have been discharged and three children are still admitted with serious dog bites.
He called on the relatives of the patients with dog bites to help them get treatment immediately.
“When you have a problem like your child or a family member is bitten by a dog, kindly step in to help, contribute for the vaccination,” Mr. Lual urged.
He said the vaccines are expensive, but a patient needs to get anti-rabies immediately.
Anti-rabies vaccines cost more than 100 United States Dollars for a full dose and many deaths have been reported to have occurred in the area and across the state due to the dog bites.
In the hospitals and other the health facilities, the anti-rabies vaccines are not provided for free. It is dependent on the people’s financial capabilities to pay for the vaccines.