IHHN marks World Rabies Day 2026; reaffirms commitment to rabies-free Pakistan

KARACHI, Oct 02 (APP): The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) organized two landmark events at its Korangi Campus to mark World Rabies Day 2026 under the global theme “Stronger Together,” reaffirming its commitment to eradicating rabies across the country through sustained, multi-sectoral collaboration.

The day featured a high-level seminar alongside the closing ceremony of a month-long Rabies Awareness Campaign targeting children, parents, and educators. High-ranking government officials, healthcare professionals, public health experts, and community representatives attended the events.

 While Addressing the seminar as Chief Guest, Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Asif Haider Shah said that once symptoms of rabies appear, the disease becomes fatal, the affected person should immediately visit the nearest health facility and vaccinated.

Commenting on the surge in reported rabies and dog-bite cases across the province, the Chief Secretary noted that increased reporting reflects rising public awareness rather than a mere escalation in incidence. He reiterated the provincial government’s resolve to collaborate with healthcare providers to achieve the global “Zero by 30” target, aiming to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

President and CEO, IHHN, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, asserted that every rabies-related death is entirely preventable. He reiterated the network’s resolve to work hand in hand with the Government of Sindh, the World Health Organization (WHO), and international partners to eliminate the disease from Pakistan.

Prominent attendees at the seminar included Guest of Honour Tahir Hussain Sangi, Secretary Health Sindh; Dr. Saeed Ahmed Jalbani, Deputy Director General Health; Prof. Syed Zafar Zaidi, Dean of Indus University of Health Sciences; Dr. Shafiq Haider, Head of Campus; and Dr. Iftikhar Salahuddin.