Sindh government expands vaccination, treatment and stray dog control measures after surge in dog-bite cases
Syed Murad Ali Shah has launched a province-wide rabies prevention campaign, announcing a comprehensive strategy to eliminate preventable rabies deaths through mass awareness, expanded treatment facilities, vaccination coverage and stray dog population management.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the CM House, the chief minister described rabies as a serious but preventable public health challenge and directed all relevant departments to coordinate closely to ensure timely treatment, public awareness and effective preventive measures across Sindh.
The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho, Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and representatives from Indus Hospital Health Network and PPHI.
Officials informed the meeting that more than 285,000 dog-bite cases were reported across Sindh during 2025, while over 22 rabies-related deaths were recorded in major hospitals. Another 85,891 dog-bite cases were documented between January and April 2026.
Launching the campaign, Murad Shah said the Sindh government was committed to strengthening prevention and treatment mechanisms to save lives.
“Rabies is a completely preventable disease, and no citizen should lose their life due to lack of awareness, vaccines or timely treatment,” he said.
The chief minister said uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin would be ensured at healthcare facilities throughout the province.
He added that the government was implementing a multi-dimensional strategy involving healthcare institutions, local government bodies, rescue services, media and community organisations.
Murad Shah also paid tribute to late infectious diseases expert Naseem Salahuddin, describing her as a pioneer of rabies prevention in Pakistan whose vision of a “Rabies-Free Pakistan” would continue to inspire public health initiatives.
Officials said that under the Sindh Rabies Control Programme launched in 2022, neutering, spaying and vaccination drives for stray dogs were underway in 20 districts.
So far, more than 25,500 dogs have been neutered or spayed, while over 36,900 dogs have been vaccinated through Rabies Control Programme Centres operating in Karachi, Matiari, Dadu and Tando Allahyar.
Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho said 11 additional centres would soon become operational in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot.
The chief minister directed local government authorities to accelerate humane and scientific stray dog population management programmes in urban and rural areas.
“We need humane, scientific and sustainable measures for stray dog control instead of temporary responses,” Murad Shah said.
The meeting was informed that 278 WHO-standard Rabies Prevention Units had been established across Sindh as primary treatment centres for dog-bite victims, while 112 WHO-standard referral centres had been activated for severe exposure cases with round-the-clock availability of anti-rabies vaccines and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG).
Officials said anti-rabies vaccine doses had already been administered to more than 63,000 patients, while eRIG treatment had been provided to over 8,700 patients under the programme.
Murad Shah directed the Health Department to ensure all referral centres remained fully functional and adequately staffed.
“No patient should be denied treatment due to shortage of medicines, staff or facilities,” he said.
The meeting was also informed that training programmes for doctors, paramedics and Rescue 1122 personnel were being conducted in collaboration with the Indus Hospital Health Network under WHO-certified guidelines.
A seven-day awareness campaign through television, print media, social media, schools and community outreach programmes was also launched to educate the public about prevention, first aid and timely treatment after dog bites.
The chief minister appreciated the development of a digital ARV Patient Tracking System designed to monitor dog-bite cases, vaccine administration and follow-up doses across Sindh in real time.
Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah directed the Health Department to operationalise the digital monitoring system immediately after final approval, saying technology-driven monitoring would improve response time and patient care.
Murad Shah also instructed the Information Department to intensify awareness campaigns in Urdu, Sindhi and regional languages to maximise outreach.
“Public awareness is the strongest defence against rabies,” he added.
