All hospitals must Maintain anti-rabies vaccine, immunoglobulin stock at all times: NMC orders institutes to follow SC directives
New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a public notice directing all medical colleges and healthcare institutions to ensure strict compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India concerning the prevention of stray dog entry into institutional premises, following a rise in dog-bite incidents across the country.
The public notice pertains to the Suo Motu Writ Petition, titled “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price”, wherein the Supreme Court issued stringent and time-bound directives to secure public institutions such as educational establishments, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations from stray dog ingress.
Therefore, as outlined in the notice, the Supreme Court’s order also mandates the following major actions-
1 Identification & securing of premises within two weeks every Government and Private Educational Institution (Schools, Colleges, Hostels), Hospital and Medical Facility, sports complex/stadium, bus stand / lSBT, railway station and secure them through fencing, boundary walls, gates and similar structural/administrative measures within eight weeks.
2 Each institution must designate a Nodal officer responsible for cleanliness, preventing dog ingress, liaison with municipal authorities and display the details of the Nodal Officer prominently and notify the municipal body.
3 Mandated Quarterly inspections to ensure no dog habitats exist within or near these premises. Immediately remove any stray dog found inside the institution and sterilised and vaccinated and not returned to the same location.
4 All Government and Private Hospitals must maintain a mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and immunoglobulin (RIG) at all times.
5 Compliance Affidavits to be filed within 8 weeks by Chief Secretaries of all States / UTs, NHAI, Union of India (MoHFW), covering securing of Central Government institutions, coordination mechanisms, availability of ARV / RIG, and compliance with Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
The Supreme Court further directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to file a comprehensive compliance affidavit within eight weeks, outlining measures adopted to secure institutions, coordinate with local authorities, and ensure uninterrupted availability of ARV and RIG in central government hospitals.
The court directive- "The Union of India, through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, shall file comprehensive affidavit of compliance within a period of 8 weeks from today (07.11.2025), indicating the steps taken to secure such institutions, the mechanism evolved for coordination with local/municipal authorities, and the measures adopted for ensuring the availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin in Central Government Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities."
In view of these directions, the NMC has urged all medical colleges and institutions to take immediate and necessary action to comply with the court’s orders. The Commission has emphasised that the matter should be treated with utmost priority, given its direct implications on public safety and healthcare preparedness.
To view the notice, click the link below
