JAMMU, JANUARY 23: Department of Information and Public Relations, in collaboration with The State Surveillance Unit, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), Directorate of Health Services (DHS) Jammu and with support from the National Health Mission (NHM) and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Jammu, successfully conducted a Rabies Awareness Program here at Village Ghorata, Block Kot Bhalwal.
The initiative, organised under the direction of Joint Director Information Jammu, Atul Gupta and supervision of Cultural Officer, Mukesh Kumar Sharma, received significant support from Dr. Rakesh Magotra, Director Health Services Jammu and Dr. Harjeet Rai, State Surveillance Officer/State Nodal Officer NRCP, Dr. Harbaksh Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Jammu and Dr. Rabia Khan, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Kot Bhalwal and Cultural Unit of Department of Information and Public Relations.
As part of the program, a Nukkad Natak was presented at the local school, attracting enthusiastic participation from both students and the general public. The street play effectively conveyed key messages about rabies prevention, the importance of timely vaccination and the need for community engagement in rabies control efforts.
The event aimed to raise awareness about rabies—a preventable viral disease that remains a significant public health concern. The program emphasized the importance of early reporting of animal bites, timely administration of anti-rabies vaccines, and the role of responsible pet ownership in preventing the spread of rabies. In addition to providing accurate information, the Natak effectively dispelled common myths related to vaccination and rabies prevention. It also emphasized important Do’s and Don’ts, such as Wash animal bite wounds immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention promptly after a bite, don’t rely on unverified traditional remedies and don’t ignore minor scratches or assume all pets are vaccinated.
The program also highlighted the free availability of ARV and ARS at government health facilities, ensuring accessibility to life-saving interventions for all.
The collaboration between various departments, including Health, Information and Education, underscores the collective resolve to combat rabies and protect public health. This activity serves as a significant step in building community awareness about Rabies prevention and control, aligning with the National Goal of Dog Mediated Rabies elimination by 2030.
