Giridih, May 16: The lackadaisical attitude of the district administration to anti-rabies vaccines has hit hundreds of dog-bite victims in the past few days.

Four stray dog-bite victims — all from underprivileged sections — had come to Sadar hospital today from different districts to get anti-rabies injection but returned without the medicine. This was their fourth visit. According to the course of the vaccine, a person has to take five injections.

In March and April, 356 and 304 injections, respectively, were given to the victims by Sadar hospital while in May, 165 injections have already been distributed.

While one vial costs Rs 343 in the open market, the health department gets them directly from manufacturers at Rs 213.40.

“It is an advantage to get the vaccine much below the market rate. But that would be possible when we have funds. Seeing the condition of Giridih, the health department had allotted Rs 10 lakh to purchase only anti-rabies injections in 2008-09,” said civil surgeon A.K. Singh.

“The funds had come on March 27 but treasury officer Majulata Kanth had not passed the bills. I sat for two hours at the treasury, but she did not sign the bills apparently without any reasons. The money went back soon after,” he added.

“Now we have no funds to purchase anti-rabies injections, while if the bill had been passed, we could have given at least 400 vials to each block,” Singh said.