World Rabies Day programme at PHC Soibugh combines pre-exposure vaccination with specialised training for healthcare workers
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Sept 28: The Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS Medical College & Hospital, Bemina, marked World Rabies Day 2026 with a comprehensive preventive healthcare initiative at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Soibugh, combining a pre-exposure rabies vaccination drive for high-risk individuals with an awareness and training programme for doctors and paramedical staff.
Observed under the theme “Stronger Together,” the programme sought to reinforce the importance of coordinated action in preventing rabies, particularly among people whose occupational or other circumstances may expose them to the risk of contact with rabid animals.
The initiative was organised by the Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS Medical College & Hospital, in collaboration with the Block Medical Officer (BMO), Soibugh, and the National Rabies Control Programme. It focused on strengthening preventive protection among identified high-risk groups while simultaneously enhancing the capacity of frontline healthcare personnel to respond appropriately to suspected rabies exposures.
A total of 48 high-risk individuals received the first dose of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccination during the programme. The vaccination marked the beginning of their recommended PrEP schedule, with the remaining doses to be administered in accordance with applicable guidelines and the recommended vaccination schedule.
The vaccination component was designed to provide advance protection to individuals who may face a heightened possibility of exposure to rabies because of their work or other circumstances. By vaccinating such individuals before a potential exposure occurs, the programme aimed to strengthen preparedness and reduce the risk associated with delays in accessing appropriate preventive treatment following an exposure.
Rabies remains a significant public health concern because of its severe consequences once clinical symptoms develop. Prevention therefore remains central to rabies control, with timely vaccination, appropriate management of animal bites and scratches, proper wound care and prompt medical intervention forming critical components of the public-health response.
The World Rabies Day initiative at Soibugh placed particular emphasis on the fact that preventing rabies requires action at multiple levels. While vaccination provides an important layer of protection for people at increased risk, awareness among communities and healthcare workers is equally important in ensuring that potential exposures are recognised and managed without delay.
The programme also featured an interactive awareness and training session for doctors and paramedical staff, aimed at improving their knowledge and preparedness in relation to rabies prevention and control.
During the training, healthcare workers were sensitised to key aspects of rabies prevention, including the recognition and management of potential exposures, appropriate wound care and the need for timely initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis. The importance of vaccination for personnel at high risk of occupational exposure was also highlighted.
The session provided healthcare professionals with an opportunity to discuss practical issues encountered while dealing with suspected rabies exposures and to clarify their understanding of recommended prevention and control measures.
Particular emphasis was placed on the role of healthcare workers as the first point of contact for many people following animal bites, scratches or other potentially risky exposures. Appropriate action at the healthcare-facility level can be critical in ensuring that individuals receive timely advice and preventive treatment.
The training also reinforced the importance of effective communication with patients and communities. People who have been exposed to potentially rabid animals may not always appreciate the urgency of seeking medical attention, particularly when an injury appears minor. Healthcare workers therefore have an important role in ensuring that suspected exposures are assessed appropriately and that individuals are guided towards timely preventive care.
The initiative highlighted the interconnected responsibilities of public-health institutions, healthcare professionals and communities in combating rabies. The theme “Stronger Together” reflected this collective approach, underlining the need for coordinated efforts rather than relying on a single intervention.
The collaboration between SKIMS Medical College & Hospital, the BMO Soibugh and the National Rabies Control Programme brought together institutional expertise, local healthcare infrastructure and programme-level public-health interventions. Such coordination can help strengthen the implementation of rabies prevention measures at the community level.
The vaccination drive also represented an important preventive-health intervention for individuals who may be particularly vulnerable because of their occupational or other exposure. Initiating PrEP vaccination before a potential exposure can form part of a broader risk-reduction strategy for eligible high-risk groups.
Alongside vaccination, the awareness component sought to ensure that healthcare workers remain equipped to respond effectively when potential exposures occur. Knowledge of proper wound management, recognition of exposure risks and timely post-exposure prophylaxis are essential elements of a comprehensive rabies-control strategy.
The programme at PHC Soibugh thus combined prevention before exposure with preparedness for managing exposure, giving the World Rabies Day observance a practical public-health dimension.
The initiative further underscored the importance of taking rabies prevention beyond awareness campaigns and translating public-health messaging into concrete interventions. The administration of the first PrEP dose to 48 high-risk individuals provided a direct preventive service, while the training session strengthened the knowledge base of healthcare personnel responsible for responding to potential cases.
With the remaining PrEP doses to be administered according to the prescribed schedule, the initiative is expected to continue beyond the World Rabies Day observance and contribute to sustained protection of the identified high-risk individuals.
The programme ultimately reinforced a central message of rabies prevention: timely action can make the difference between exposure and protection. Through vaccination, trained healthcare personnel, appropriate wound care and prompt post-exposure intervention, the risk posed by rabies can be addressed through a coordinated public-health response.
The World Rabies Day observance at PHC Soibugh therefore served not merely as an awareness event but as a practical demonstration of preventive healthcare, bringing vaccination, professional training and community-level preparedness together under the broader goal of strengthening rabies control in Jammu and Kashmir.
