MoU signed to combat rabies in the Greater Mumbai area

Mumbai, India: Boehringer Ingelheim India has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pet Practitioners Association of Mumbai, a non-profit charitable organisation to combat rabies in the Greater Mumbai area. The free vaccination camps will be run with support of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The ‘Stop Rabies’ initiative aligns with India’s National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030. It adopts a two-pronged approach of vaccination and education. Boehringer Ingelheim India has committed to donate 30,000 doses of its anti-rabies vaccine, Rabisin® (inactivated and adjuvanted rabies glycoproteins) for the vaccination drive, and conduct a month-long awareness drive in partnership with PPAM in schools and communities to educate the public about rabies prevention and the human-animal bond.

The ‘Stop Rabies’ initiative will be implemented under the pillar ‘More Health’ in our ‘Sustainable Development – For Generations’ framework, which is our strategic approach to sustainability.

The MoU signing between PPAM represented by Dr Dhananjay Bapat, President, PPAM and Dr Makrand Chavan, Secretary, PPAM and Boehringer Ingelheim India represented by Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Managing Director and Head of Human Pharma and Dr. Vinod Gopal, Director – Country Head, Animal Health was held today in Mumbai.

“Rabies, a disease that can be prevented by vaccination, continues to be a problem for public health,” stated Dr. Vinod Gopal, Director and Country Head of Animal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim India. “Adopting the ‘One Health’ approach will be key to securing a healthier future for all. Our ‘Stop Rabies’ initiative with PPAM and BMC is a step in that direction, showcasing our commitment to the well-being of humans and uncared dogs and cats.”

“Eliminating rabies in Mumbai is crucial for public health. The ‘Stop Rabies’ initiative stands as a testament to the power of public-private partnerships, and empowering Mumbai to move closer to becoming rabies-free,” said Dr Dhananjay Bapat, President, PPAM.

As per WHO, about 30-60% of reported rabies cases and deaths in India occur in children under the age of 15 years. Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people.