The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges and institutions across India to maintain a mandatory stock of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Immunoglobulin (RIG) at all times. This directive follows a Supreme Court order issued in response to a significant rise in dog-bite incidents in institutional spaces.
The NMC instructed principals, deans, and heads of medical colleges and institutions to implement measures outlined by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava earlier this month. In a letter addressed to secretaries of all central government departments and ministries, Srivastava emphasized that the management of every educational institution, hospital, sports complex, bus stand, and depot must designate a nodal officer responsible for upkeep, cleanliness, and preventing stray dogs from entering or inhabiting the premises. Details of the site officers are to be prominently displayed at entrances and notified to the jurisdictional municipal authorities.
The Supreme Court noted a significant rise in dog-bite incidents in institutional areas and issued stringent, time-bound directions to all States, Union Territories, and the Government of India to secure educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, and railway stations from stray dog ingress.
The Ministry of Education is expected to direct all schools and educational institutions to conduct awareness sessions for students and staff on preventive behavior around animals, first-aid measures in case of bites, and immediate reporting protocols. Stadiums and sports complexes are required to deploy security or groundkeeping personnel to maintain around-the-clock vigilance against stray dogs entering or inhabiting the premises.
Railway authorities, state transport corporations, and municipal authorities responsible for bus stands, depots, and interstate bus terminals are mandated to ensure these public transport facilities are secured and maintained to prevent the movement or habitation of stray dogs. Proper waste management systems must be implemented to eliminate food sources that attract animals, and regular inspections are required to detect and address the presence of stray dogs.
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