The victims of dog bites in the city have been at the receiving end of the buck-passing between the authorities of Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Civil Hospital over concession on anti-rabies vaccine (ARV).

The hospital receives 40-odd cases of dog bites every day. But due to the lack of awareness about the free ARV service, most of the patients end up paying for the vaccine.

According to H V Thaker, resident medical officer, Junagadh Civil Hospital, the JMC had decided that for the dog bite cases, the civic body would bear the cost of ARV, which is Rs 100 per dose.

“We had suggested JMC officials that either post their own doctors at the hospital, so that the Corporation itself can make the payment of ARV directly to the hospital on daily basis or the hospital issue payment receipt to the patients, who would then collect the amount from the JMC,” he said.

Thaker added: “But they did not accept any of the options and decided to pay us Rs 50,000 as grant for ARV. But there is no guarantee that the JMC would continue with this grant. This arrangement creates administrative problem too, as we have no system or arrangement to use any such grant issued by anyone other than our department.”

JMC health officer Dr L T Vaja denied any lapse on their part, saying, “The JMC is paying for the ARV given to the patients. The patients have to produce the receipt of the payment made at the hospital and a residential proof for reimbursement.”

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