Dog and cat owners in the country would no longer have to pay a laboratory fee to have their pets tested for rabies.
This is a welcome development as Secretary of Agriculture Proceso J. Alcala ordered a moratorium on charging of the laboratory fee for rabies examination in government facilities.
DA is waiving the payment of laboratory fees at the Philippine Animal Health Center of the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) and the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RADDLs) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices beginning February 2015 until December 31, 2016.
Although rabies diagnosis is available in government facilities, there are still unreported cases of animal rabies due to non-submission of samples for laboratory confirmation. The payment of a laboratory fee for rabies is seen as a hindrance because most people in rural areas could not afford to pay the fee.
Secretary Alcala said the laboratory examination for rabies should be free of charge to encourage submission of more samples from suspected animal rabies cases. Waiving the lab fee is in line with DA-BAI’s thrust to hasten the goal of a rabies-free Philippines through dog vaccination.
“There are a number of people who could not afford to pay the Php 200.00 laboratory fee for rabies examination. In waiving the laboratory fee, more pet owners especially in the rural areas will be encouraged to have their dogs tested for rabies” said Dr. Emelinda Lopez, Rabies Focal Person at DA-BAI. This will provide a clearer picture of the disease situation and will support the channelling of resources for rabies prevention and control in greatly affected areas.
DA-BAI started its Rabies Awareness Month Kick-off Activity on March 2, 2015 with the theme: “Bakunadong Pusa’t Aso sa Rabis Protektado”, coinciding with the agency’s 85th Foundation Anniversary. Rabies Awareness Month, celebrated annually every March, aims to increase public awareness on the risks of rabies and the importance of having dogs and cats vaccinated regularly against this fatal disease.
The activity is in line with the BAI’s goal of accelerating the achievement of a rabies-free Philippines by 2016. One of its aims is to vaccinate at least 70% of the estimated dog population in the country or about seven million dogs yearly for the next two years.
This year’s campaign benefits from increased resources of Php 40 million for rabies prevention and control being implemented by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) with support from the Department of Health (DOH) and foreign-assistance from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Australian Government. The OIE project aims to vaccinate 300,000 dogs annually in the Bicol Region and contribute to national rabies eradication efforts.
Local Government Units (LGUs) have been very active in conducting mass rabies vaccination and awareness campaigns nationwide. (DA/PIA)
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