Nagpur Municipal Corporation has launched a citywide rabies awareness and treatment drive, offering preventive vaccination, medical guidance and post-exposure care at designated civic health centres and government hospitals on Monday.
The campaign, organised by the NMC Health Department to mark World Rabies Day, is focused on ensuring that residents seek medical attention quickly after being bitten by a dog, cat or another animal. Services at the designated facilities will be available from 9.45am to 6.15pm.
The civic body has advised residents to wash an animal-bite wound thoroughly with soap and running water immediately after the incident. Medical attention should then be sought without delay so that doctors can determine the treatment required, including rabies vaccination and, in certain cases, rabies immunoglobulin.
Rabies is a serious viral disease that can be fatal once symptoms develop, but timely post-exposure treatment can prevent the disease. NMC officials have urged residents to complete the vaccination schedule recommended by doctors rather than stopping treatment after the initial dose.
Rabies vaccination is being made available at several NMC Urban Primary Health Centres, including those in Somalwada, Hudkeshwar, Nandanvan, Shanti Nagar and Pardi. The service is also available at Indira Gandhi Hospital near LAD College, Isolation Hospital at Rambagh, Late Prabhakarrao Datke Mahal Diagnosis Centre, Pachpaoli Maternity Home and Sadar Diagnosis Centre.
Government facilities included in the campaign are Maharashtra State Government Hospital in Mankapur, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, commonly known as Mayo, and Government Medical College and Hospital at Hanuman Nagar, near Medical Square. Outpatient and emergency services are available at these hospitals as required.
The NMC Health Department has specifically warned residents against applying chilli powder, lime, oil, turmeric or other household substances to animal-bite wounds. Such measures do not replace medical treatment, and officials have stressed that wound washing followed by prompt professional care is the appropriate response.
The campaign places responsibility for rabies prevention across both community behaviour and the city’s public-health network. By directing residents to civic health centres and government hospitals, the NMC is using its existing primary-care and hospital system to provide access to vaccination and emergency support after animal exposure. The listed facilities will continue to handle outpatient and emergency requirements according to medical need.
