CEO Mission Rabies Luke Gamble says Goa model has been presented to WHO
TEAM HERLAD
MARGAO: Goa has been role model for many a State in the country for its impressive social indicators.
The State will soon become a model not only within the country but internationally for its initiative on rabies control. The UK-based Mission Rabies have presented a detailed project report to the World Health Organisation in Geneva on how they have embarked on a project to control rabies and make Goa rabies free three years from now.
Mission Rabies Chief Executive Officer Luke Gamble told the media during his visit to the Sonsodo dog shelter that Goa will set a benchmark on rabies control not only within India, but around the world. “We have presented our project to the WHO, which it would soon endorse making Goa a model internationally on rabies control”, Luke said.
He said his organisation could make rapid progress in controlling rabies, thanks to the progressive government in Goa, amazing Goan veterinary doctors, massive municipal support and cooperation from the Goan people.
He said that Mission Rabies is implementing first phase of the three-year programme in the state and are trying to get support from other stakeholders. “We are targeting 20,000 female dogs across Goa. So far, we have vaccinated around 4,500 female dogs. This exercise will prevent the birth of around 15,000 puppies on the streets of Goa”, Luke said.
Asserting that Goa will be a rabies-free state by 2017, Luke said that Mission Rabies will have to deliver to receive active support from the local government. “We had a meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister Francisco D’Souza and made a presentation. He is on record promising government support to the campaign”, he said.
On the stray dog situation in Margao, the Mission Rabies CEO pegged the population of stray dogs in the city to around 8,000. He said that Mission Rabies not only treats stray dogs from Margao, but also dogs from the periphery of the city, including the coastal belt. “Soon, people will get a Helpline number to contact us if any rabid or stray dog is on the prowl in their neighbourhood”, Luke added.
