Community awareness program on Rabies Prevention held at Village Arnia-Block Bishnah

Jammu : The State Surveillance Unit, Directorate of Health Services (DHS) Jammu, in collaboration with the Information Department and with support from the National Health Mission (NHM), organized a Nukkad Natak at Village Arnia in Block Bishnah, to raise awareness about Rabies prevention under National Rabies Control Program(NRCP) on January 21, 2025.
The Nukkad Natak, presented by a group of artists from the Information Department, was a key component of the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities under the National Rabies Control Program (NRCP).
The performance focused on educating the community about crucial aspects of rabies prevention, including the importance of immediate and thorough wound washing after an animal bite, timely administration of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Rabies Serum (ARS) and responsible pet ownership and regular vaccination of pet dogs.
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 event saw active participation from local community members, school children, local chemists, health staff, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Their involvement further enhanced the impact of the awareness drive, fostering a better understanding of Rabies prevention measures at the grassroots level.
The activity served 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.
The initiative, organized under the guidance of Dr. Rakesh Magotra, Director Health Services Jammu, and the supervision of Dr. Harjeet Rai, State Surveillance Officer/State Nodal Officer NRCP, received significant support from Dr.Harbaksh Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Jammu, and Dr. Ghanshyam, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Bishnah.