Rabies vaccines idle in Entebbe

By Geoffrey Kamali THE Ministry of Health has called on directors of health services in various districts of the country to collect rabies vaccines, currently stored in bulk at the National Medical Stores (NMS) in Entebbe. Rabies is a fatal disease, caused by bites or scratches by infected animals, in human beings. It is most common in unvaccinated pets, such as dogs and cats. In serious cases, it can kill the victim within 14 days. Robert Rutaagi, the NMS general manager, made the call during a meeting with the directors in Entebbe. The directors had just toured the NMS premises. Rutaagi said NMS has big stocks of the vaccine but that they were not available in the districts because the respective directors had not collected them. The demand for the vaccine is said to be high as people from areas where it is not available are said to be flocking to the medical stores to buy it in bulk. Patrick Kisitu, the head of NMS’ pharmaceutical department, said all travellers to the national game parks should be alerted to take the vaccine in case they are bitten or scratched by animals, such as monkeys or gorillas. Ends