Some of them recounted their harrowing ordeal when they had rushed to the Velsao-Pale panchayat on Monday, amid rumours that some doctors were to provide medicines to those bitten by the rabid dog.
Around 18 locals from Velsao reached the panchayat at 4.30 pm and had to wait for almost an hour for the arrival of the doctors, who finally turned out to be volunteers from the NGO ‘Mission Rabies’. The dejected locals then began leaving the site at about 6 pm.
“My 10-yr-old son, Savio, and I had gone to Velsao to my mother-in-law’s house on Sunday and I was in the verandah when the rabid dog bit me,’ said Jose Leles Fernandes of Betalbatim.
“The dog then attacked my son and tore off the flesh from his elbow, exposing his elbow bone,” said Fernandes.
“Alarmed by the dog bite, we rushed to the Cansaulim Health Centre, only to be informed that the anti-rabies vaccine was not available. I was directed by the doctors to go to Hospicio Hospital in Margao.”
“Once we reached Hospicio, a lady doctor asked me if I could afford to buy the costly vaccine and was given a prescription to buy it from local pharmacies or to visit GMC for medical help.”
“As the vaccine was not available in Margao, I rushed with my son to the GMC, where I was informed that the vaccine was not available and was told to procure the same either at Vintage hospital in Panjim or Manipal hospital at Dona Paula,” said Fernandes.
“I finally returned to Chicalim Cottage hospital and got my son vaccinated. He received eight stitches on his elbow,” he added.
Another elderly woman Lizu Fernandes said a portion of her right leg was ripped off by the rabid dog.
Speaking to Herald, Lizu’s neighbour, Fatima Sobrin, said she had heard cries from Lizu’s house at around 5.30 pm.
“I rushed to Lizu’s house, only to find a dog attacking her. Another lady Maria Fernandes and I rushed to help Lizu and as we tried to drive the dog away, the rabid dog bit Maria’s finger,” said Sobrin.
The villagers who had arrived at the panchayat stated that it was surprising that the anti -rabies vaccine was not available at the government hospitals.
They also complained that the medical staff at the Cansaulim Health Centre, Hospisio Hospital at Margao and at GMC were very casual in their attitude and were seen ignoring the patients.
They have urged the health minister to direct the medical staff to be more polite towards patients and to keep all necessary medicines at all the government hospitals in future.
