Boy mauled by stray dogs struggles for life at JPMC

Brought in a grievous condition on Wednesday, an eight-year-old boy was battling for his life at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) after he was reportedly attacked by three stray dogs in Jumma Goth, Shah Faisal Colony, JPMC officials said.

“The young boy was brought to the JPMC’s casualty ward in a serious condition. His attendants said he was mauled by three stray dogs in Shah Faisal Colony’s Jumma Goth area,” JPMC Executive Director Dr Seemin Jamali told The News.

“We have administered anti-rabies vaccine, immunoglobulin and antibiotics to the injured kid and his condition is being monitored at the moment. I hope he survives,” Dr Seemin said.

JPMC is the only healthcare facility that remains open for dog-bite victims round the clock, while other centres where the cases are treated include the Civil Hospital Karachi and Indus Hospital in Korangi.

“After malaria and dengue, we are now facing a Chikungunya epidemic and have been compelled to invite the World Health Organization (WHO) experts to formulate a strategy for us to get rid of mosquitoes. On the other hand, stray dogs have started mauling our children and even adults which is an alarming situation,” she observed.

Dr Jamali requested municipal authorities including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to take stock of the situation and start a campaign to rid the city of stray dogs as a large number of people were being brought to the hospital for dog-bite treatments.

“Instead of waiting for a catastrophe, the municipal authorities should take preventive measures to rid the city of stray animals as we have also seen cases where cats have attacked humans,” she said.

Around 6,000 victims of dog bite are brought to JPMC alone on an annual basis; some of them die even after being given proper treatment and vaccination, she said.

The JPMC executive director said the city’s environment was becoming highly conducive for dogs and mosquitoes but not for humans. She urged authorities to play their role in eradicating the menace before it gets out of control.