Severe shortage of Rabies Immunoglobulin in Telangana, says study

A Lancet study has found a severe shortage of Rabies Immunoglobulin across Telangana, with only 1.8% of UPHCs stocking the life-saving injection. While rabies vaccines are widely available, doctors warn severe dog-bite victims may face life-threatening treatment delays

Hyderabad: There is a severe shortage of Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG), the life-saving injection that must be administered to dog-bite victims with serious injuries such as broken skin and bleeding wounds, according to a countrywide survey on RIG availability that also covered government hospitals in Telangana.

Published in The Lancet (July 2025), the nationwide study revealed that only 1.8 percent of Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) — including those in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medak and Nalgonda — had stocks of RIG injections.

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The study highlighted that victims of severe dog bites (Category III), who require both the Anti-Rabies Vaccine and RIG to survive, will not receive complete treatment at the nearest UPHC.

Findings from Telangana were consistent with the national trend, pointing to a critical gap in the public healthcare system. However, the study also noted that 80 percent of government healthcare facilities had adequate stocks of rabies vaccine.

RIG availability was concentrated in higher-level facilities, with medical colleges or teaching hospitals reporting the highest stock levels at 69.2 percent, followed by secondary care facilities such as district hospitals at 47.9 percent.

“The disparity creates a logistical nightmare for patients and families, who are forced to travel long distances in search of the medication, all while the life-threatening rabies virus has more time to spread,” a senior government doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

Senior doctors advised that dog-bite victims with severe injuries should visit private hospitals and insist on RIG rather than relying on government primary health centres, which are unlikely to stock the injection.

When should RIG be administered?
* When skin is broken and bleeding after an animal bite
* If a dog licks the broken skin
* When saliva of a rabid animal comes in contact with eyes, nose and mouth
* RIG can be administered for any bite by a wild animal like bat, fox etc

Data points:
* Only 1.8 per cent of UPHCs in Telangana and across the country have stocks of RIG
*69 per cent of teaching hospitals maintain RIG stocks
* Stocks of Anti-Rabies Vaccine is well stocked in all healthcare facilities
* ARV must be given to all kinds of dog bites (minor scratch/severe deep bites)
* ARV has 3 to 4 doses but RIG is single dose for severe bites
* ARV can also be taken as a precaution
* Animal handlers, veterinarians, lab workers and travellers can take ARV as a precaution