KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday launched a province-wide anti-rabies prevention campaign, declaring a zero-tolerance policy towards preventable rabies deaths and directing all relevant departments to adopt a coordinated strategy focused on vaccination, timely treatment, public awareness and stray dog population control.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister House, Murad Ali Shah said rabies remained a serious but entirely preventable public health challenge and stressed that no citizen should lose their life due to lack of awareness, vaccines or timely medical care.
The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary Health Tahir Sangi, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Secretary Information Nadeem Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Asif Jameel, Dr Abdul Bari of Indus Hospital, DG Health Dr Waqar Memon, CEO PPHI Javed Jagirani and other senior officials.
Officials informed the meeting that more than 285,000 dog-bite cases were reported across Sindh in 2025, while over 22 rabies-related deaths were recorded in major hospitals. From January to April 2026 alone, 85,891 dog-bite cases have already been documented.
Launching the campaign, the chief minister said the Sindh government was committed to strengthening both preventive and treatment systems to save lives. He directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin at healthcare facilities throughout the province.
Murad Shah said the government was adopting a multi-pronged strategy involving the health department, local government institutions, rescue services, media and community organisations to tackle the issue effectively.
Paying tribute to the late infectious diseases expert Dr Naseem Salahuddin, the chief minister described her as a pioneer of rabies prevention in Pakistan and said her lifelong mission for a rabies-free Pakistan would continue to inspire public health efforts.
The meeting was informed that under the Sindh Rabies Control Programme launched in 2022, neutering, spaying and vaccination campaigns 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, Tando Allahyar and other areas.
Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho informed the meeting that 11 additional rabies control centres would soon become operational in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and other districts.
The chief minister directed local government authorities to accelerate humane, scientific and sustainable stray dog population management programmes across urban and rural areas.
Officials said 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, ensuring round-the-clock availability of anti-rabies vaccines and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG).
The health minister informed the chief minister that anti-rabies vaccine doses for more than 63,000 patients and eRIG treatment for over 8,700 patients had already been provided under the programme.
Murad Shah directed the Health Department to ensure all referral centres remained fully functional and adequately staffed, emphasizing that no patient should be denied treatment due to shortages of medicines, staff or facilities.
The meeting was also told 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, social media, schools and community outreach programmes was also launched to educate the public on rabies 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-based monitoring would improve response time, accountability and patient outcomes.
Murad Shah also instructed the Information Department to intensify awareness campaigns in Urdu, Sindhi and regional languages to maximise community outreach, stating that public awareness remained the strongest defence against rabies.
