Karnataka govt targets zero rabies deaths by 2030
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday said the state has set a target of reducing rabies deaths to zero by 2030 as he launched the State Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination, aimed at making the staet rabies-free.
The State Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) seeks to strengthen rabies prevention efforts across the state, he said.
The State Action Plan was also launched for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (SAPSE).
“The Government of Karnataka has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 through the implementation of SAPRE. Aligned with the National Rabies Control Programme and the national goal of ‘Zero Human Deaths due to Dog-Mediated Rabies by 2030’, the state has adopted a comprehensive One Health strategy to address rabies in an integrated and sustainable manner,” he said.
Addressing the gathering here, the Health Minister announced that anti-rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin will be made available at all Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, taluk hospitals and district hospitals across the state, and maintaining adequate stocks has been made mandatory.
Private hospitals have also been directed to ensure continuous availability of these medicines and to provide treatment without insisting on advance payment, he added.
“State and district-level joint committees have been formed for monitoring purposes. The programme will be implemented with the cooperation of various government departments, and NGOs will also extend support,” Rao said.
On snakebite management, the minister said an action plan has been formulated to reduce deaths caused by venomous snakebites.
“The plan has been prepared in accordance with central guidelines," he said, highlighting that in 2024, the state government included all snakebite cases in the list of notifiable diseases.
Officials noted that as Karnataka is the first state to declare all snake bite cases and deaths as'notifiable diseases', it has also become the first state to launch state action plan.
"Guidelines have been developed in collaboration with NGOs, civil society organisations and other departments, Rao added.
According to Rao, the plan focuses on prevention and control measures, ensuring availability of medicines, training and creating public awareness.
Eliminating disabilities caused by snakebites is also a key objective.
“Free treatment will be provided for snakebite cases as well, and private hospitals have been directed to provide immediate life-saving treatment to victims without insisting on advance payment,” Rao said.
Overall, the Health Department has formulated these programmes to address public health concerns effectively and ensure that no death occurs due to lack of timely treatment, he added.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
