Summary CS Asif Hyder Shah said she was later treated at Indus Hospital, where she received anti-rabies vaccination
KARACHI (Web Desk) - Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah has revealed that his wife was also bitten by a dog but could not initially receive treatment at a private hospital because the facility lacked the necessary expertise and arrangements to manage dog-bite cases.
He said she was later treated at Indus Hospital, where she received anti-rabies vaccination.
Speaking at a seminar held at Indus Hospital Karachi to mark World Rabies Day 2026 and the conclusion of a month-long awareness campaign, Shah stressed the importance of timely treatment and public awareness in preventing rabies-related deaths.
He said six people had died of rabies in Sindh despite receiving vaccination, adding that investigations were underway to determine how the deaths occurred despite the patients being vaccinated.
Shah said the increase in reported rabies cases was partly due to greater public awareness and improved reporting.
He added that the government aimed to help achieve the global target of making Pakistan rabies-free by 2030.
Also Read: Karachi man dies of rabies after stray dog bite
Muhammad Aftab Gohar, technical adviser to the Safe Sindh Programme, said 160 healthcare providers from more than 90 centres across the province had been trained as master trainers.
Certificates were also awarded to 30 trainers selected from anti-rabies referral centres.
He said the month-long campaign trained 10,000 students and 300 teachers in Karachi and Badin on rabies prevention and timely measures following dog bites.
Indus Hospital President and CEO Dr Abdul Bari Khan said public awareness, timely vaccination, trained medical staff and an effective referral system were essential to achieving the Zero by 30 target.
Indus Hospital has treated more than 150,000 dog-bite cases free of charge since 2008 and trained over 700 medical professionals in rabies management.
