India, Oct. 20 -- Anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is unavailable at 126 government hospitals in Maharashtra, while rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is out of stock at 375 facilities, according to a letter from the state public health department, raising concerns about timely treatment for dog-bite victims.

In a letter dated October 16, health secretary Nipun Vinayak directed officials to ensure that both medicines are available in adequate quantities at all government hospitals by October 31, 2026. The communication flagged shortages across the state's public healthcare network and stressed the need to prevent avoidable deaths due to rabies.

According to figures cited by the department, of the 633 government hospitals covered in the assessment, AR...