The Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that it is executing a coordinated national policy to prevent and control rabies, with a focus on free treatment for bite victims, widespread dog vaccination, and increased surveillance, particularly in places with a higher disease burden. 

In a written response, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav stated that the government is undertaking the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), which includes both human and animal health measures carried out in collaboration with states and local organisations. 

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted mostly by the bite of infected animals, most notably dogs. It is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but it can be avoided if treatment is initiated soon following a bite. This treatment, known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), consists of careful wound cleansing and prompt vaccination. 

The minister stated that the National Free Drug Initiative is providing free anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin, which gives rapid protection, to bite sufferers. States are also receiving financial assistance to improve bite management services and public awareness campaigns. 

The National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030 (NAPRE), launched jointly by the health ministry and the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying, is a significant component of the project. The plan takes a One Health approach, which means it targets both human and animal health simultaneously, acknowledging that preventing rabies in dogs is critical to safeguarding people. 

Under this framework, the health ministry, through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), implements the human health component, while state animal husbandry departments are in charge of dog vaccination, sterilisation, and population management in accordance with the 2001 Animal Birth Control Rules. 

To increase access to standardised care, the government has created 279 Model Anti-Rabies Clinics (MARCs) over the last three years. These clinics have proper wound-washing facilities and follow uniform treatment regimens. Fourteen government laboratories have also been upgraded to increase rabies detection and monitoring. 

The minister stated that surveillance has been tightened, with states regularly reporting animal bite instances and suspected or confirmed human rabies cases via the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme website. Following a health ministry warning, 26 states and union territories have deemed rabies a notifiable disease, requiring reporting. 

Capacity building has also increased, with over 1.66 lakh doctors, nurses, and paramedical personnel educated in dog-bite management and vaccine administration over the last five years. We carry out public awareness campaigns throughout the year, focussing on World Rabies Day on September 28. 

Recognising the heightened risk in urban areas, the centre has launched the Rabies-Free City Initiative, which is currently being tested in 15 Tier I and Tier II cities across six states. The initiative aims to attain at least 70% vaccination coverage among dogs, provide early care for bite victims, and raise community awareness. 

The government has also highlighted citizen collaboration, promoting responsible pet ownership, dog vaccination and registration, and proper feeding practices for community dogs as part of disease prevention efforts. 

According to the ministry, states are being encouraged to adopt their action plans inside the national framework, with numerous states having already done so as implementation proceeds across the country.