ISLAMABAD - Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shahbaz has taken notice of authorities failing to neutralise the stray dogs and shortage of anti-rabies vaccine in the capital. In this context, residents of different sectors of Islamabad have filed complaints before the Federal Ombudsman for no action by Municipal Corporation Islamabad in neutralising stray dogs as it is a big threat to people. They stated that a number of people were bitten by these dogs but MCI is sleeping on this issue of public importance. The Federal Ombudsman by taking action in the matter has constituted a high-level committee under the headship of Secretary Wafaqi Mohtasib Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui to resolve the issue of public importance. A special meeting was convened under the chair of Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui which was attended by Sr. Adviser Appraisal Ejaz A. Qureshi; Aftab Akbar Durrani, Additional Secretary; Sardar M. Ashfaq Khan, DG, DG (CM) CDA Naveed Tareen, Director Sanitation MCI Fateh Mako, Abdul Haye Agha from IWMB and Dr. Umair Hassan Khan from National Institute of Health. In his opening remarks, Shoaib Siddiqui said that due to inaction of both the agencies, people are suffering, especially the people of low-cost areas who cannot even afford the anti-rabies vaccine. He said that the media has also highlighted this issue of public importance but no action was taken by the civic agency. He further said that it is a painful treatment but no strategy has so far been devised by the Agency.
The representative of IWMB informed that the issue relates to MCI whereas their mandate is to protect wild life. The reps of MCI and CDA admitted that neutralising stray dogs is the responsibility of MCI but still no policy has been formulated. The Chairman by showing annoyance at this serious maladministration on the part of civic agency, directed the authorities to take immediate action for neutralising the stray dogs in a peaceful manner and with no element of cruelty. He also directed for submission of a weekly report on the matter.
The rep of NIH informed the meeting that they have a shortage in provision of vaccines around the country but we can manage if we adopt the IntraDermal method of vaccination, which needs awareness at a large scale. The Chairman of the Committee passed direction to the Secretary Ministry of Health for provision of sufficient number of anti-rabies vaccines in all hospitals of Islamabad and creation of awareness at large scale for using IntraDermal method of vaccination among masses, according to a press release.