Karachi: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab announced the local preparation of a rabies vaccine and pledged full support for its distribution during a meeting with a delegation from Dow University of Health Sciences. The initiative, aimed at combating rabies in the city, will see free vaccines provided at KMC-run hospitals, with plans to expand availability throughout the region.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the meeting included prominent figures such as Dr. Izhar Hussain and Dr. Syed Tariq Shahid from Dow University, who discussed the significant increase in dog bites in the city and the urgent need for accessible rabies treatment. Mayor Wahab expressed gratitude for the 1500 locally produced vaccines presented by the university and outlined the plans to ensure all government and private hospitals in Karachi are equipped to handle such emergencies.

The initiative also includes providing the anti-rabies vaccine to hospitals in the West District, where incidents of dog bites are notably high. The mayor emphasized the importance of timely and adequate treatment of dog bites to prevent fatal outcomes. He praised the efforts of Dow University’s doctors and experts in addressing the critical need for these vaccines in Karachi’s hospitals.

Mayor Wahab also highlighted ongoing improvements in the city’s medical facilities, mentioning that the Municipality of Karachi allocates a significant portion of its budget to the medical sector to ensure low-cost, quality treatment for its citizens. Future projects aimed at enhancing medical facilities and testing for medicines and drinking water are also in development to safeguard public health.