[MS Updates]
India
Benefits of anti-rabies programme
In 2009, we reported how the government of Sikkim state in India had made the
landmark decision to include an animal health programme as a division of its animal
husbandry department. Sikkim Anti-Rabies and Animal Health (SARAH) was the first
state-wide animal birth control and anti-rabies programme in India. Established in
2006 by Australian-based Vets Beyond Borders (VBB), in partnership with the Sikkim
government, the programme became a division within the Department of Animal
Husbandry in 2009.
With additional support from French member society Fondation Brigitte Bardot, the
SARAH programme adopted a humane and sustainable approach to dog population
and rabies control, protecting and improving animal welfare.
Local Sikkimese veterinary and para-veterinary staff have been trained in surgical
and diagnostic techniques, dog-catching, animal welfare, and administration of an
animal hospital. VBB volunteers provide practical training and give seminars to local
staff. Difficult medical and surgical cases are referred by the State Veterinary
Hospital to SARAH.
The Sikkim government has asked SARAH to host Sikkimese final year veterinary
students for one week periods as interns, so as to provide surgical and medical
training to these students.
Over 21,000 dogs and cats have been sterilised by the programme so far, and
35,000 vaccinations against rabies have been carried out. There is a rapid response
to suspected rabies cases. The benefits are now being seen, with a reduction in
canine rabies and dog bite injuries in Sikkim, and fewer human deaths from rabies.
The SARAH programme is a successful state-wide anti-rabies programme, made
possible by collaborative effort and political will.
Vets Beyond Borders
E: secretariat@vetsbeyondborders.org
W: www.vetsbeyondborders.org