Joining forces against rabies in Nepal
In 2018 we are embarking on a pilot project of a critical importance which aims to raise awareness and knowledge of rabies in Nepal and establish local self-sustaining methodologies and processes thus helping the country tackle the issue of this fully preventable disease.
Why Nepal?
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world1 suffering from neglected diseases. About 200 people die of rabies every year in Nepal, which is considered a highly underestimated official number; in 2015, around 35,000 inhabitants received rabies post-exposure prophlylaxis after animal bites. By joining forces with other organizations and institutions, we can help address the issue of rabies in this country.
Why rabies?
Rabies is fully preventable but fatal if untreated. The rabies vaccine has been proven safe and effective in preventing human rabies. As the second largest animal health company in the world and a producer of the most comprehensive range of rabies vaccine in the world, we feel we have a responsibility to go the extra mile and provide help where it is desperately needed.
R: Dr. Isabelle Buschulte and Dr.Dr. Fredrik Gruenenfelder
What are the next steps?
This project will pilot in November 2018 in Nepal, focusing on the Kathmandu Valley. If the pilot is successful, we plan to expand to India and eventually form a closer collaboration with WHO and its global strategic plan Zero by 30 the objective of which is to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
The project will initially run in two phases:
- Education - raising disease ad program awareness
- Vaccination of dogs in the pilot area of the Kathmandu Valley
We will provide an update on the project later this year so watch this space!
We are not alone!
On this project, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit has been collaborating with experts and students from the HICAST (Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology) University of Kathmandu and the local Government, as well as with vet expert Dr. Mukti N. Shrestha, President of WSAVA (Global Veterinary Community)/VPAN (Veterinary Practitioner`s Association Nepal), and GARC (Global Alliance for Rabies Control).
When animals are healthy, humans are healthy too…
In Boehringer Ingelheim, we call this project One Health as it combines both human and animal health, and clearly demonstrates that improved animal health has a direct impact on human health. We believe that prevention is better than treatment and through our daily work we advocate for preventive care as vaccination saves lives.
1Global Finance Index 2018: Nepal within the 30 poorest countries in the world
“I am very pleased to be involved in this project which forms part of our global Making More Health initiative. It aims to reduce the local healthcare burden through vaccination, education and dog population management.”
Dr. Isabelle Buschulte, Global Senior Compliance Manager
“As a company, we strive for making a positive impact on the world. Our plan is to bring a beneficial and sustainable input to a third-world country, which will lead to improving lives of both humans and animals.”
Dr.Dr. Fredrik Gruenenfelder, Senior Risk Management Physician in Global Pharmacovigilance