The Ramkumar Sarada Umaprasad Murarka Provincial Hospital in Lahan is facing a shortage of anti-rabies vaccines. A notice posted on February 13, at the hospital located in Lahan Municipality–3 stated that rabies vaccination services have been suspended due to a lack of stock and will resume once the vaccine becomes available. Hospital Chairperson Ramnarayan Mahato said the hospital has been unable to provide the service as the vaccine has not been supplied by the Department of Health Services. However, if service recipients purchase the vaccine from outside, the hospital administers it.
Binod Yadav of Lahan Municipality–8 said he had come to vaccinate a relative but was informed through the notice that the vaccine was unavailable. He expressed concern that delays in receiving the rabies vaccine could cause serious health risks and said that although it is provided free at the hospital, they were compelled to purchase it at a high price outside.
Shila Devi Yadav of Sukhipur Municipality–1 said that a vaccine costing Rs. 100 at the hospital costs Rs. 600 when bought outside. Similarly, Surekha Singh of Dhangadhi Municipality–4, who came to vaccinate her son, shared her distress over the financial burden caused by having to purchase the expensive vaccine.