PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among government departments, local organizations, animal welfare groups, and the public to achieve a rabies-free Goa. He highlighted that responsible pet ownership, vaccination, and effective management of the stray dog population are essential to this goal during the launch of the One Health Rabies Awareness Campaign at Miramar on World Rabies Day.
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In his speech, Sawant noted that the campaign's theme, "Stronger Together," underscores the necessity for unified action. He also inaugurated an awareness rally aimed at schoolchildren.
Sawant reflected on the early contributions of Mission Rabies and local animal welfare organizations, recounting that when he first served as an MLA, these groups received minimal governmental support and had to seek permission for sterilization drives. "When we saw their willingness to sterilize, we offered full local support, including refreshments for their workers," he said, recognizing the teamwork that transformed the management of stray dogs in Goa. He remarked on the previous approach to stray dogs, where capture often resulted in killing, contrasting it with the current, more humane methods employed by trained catchers.
Addressing the seriousness of rabies, Sawant recalled the isolation of infected patients at Goa Medical College in the past, stating, "Once rabies develops, there is no medical treatment; one simply has to wait until death in a dark room." He urged pet owners to be responsible, warning of fines if their dogs bite people, and emphasized the necessity for vaccinations, proper care, and discouraging abandonment.
Sawant mentioned that Goa sterilizes between 20,000 to 25,000 dogs annually and announced that the previously charged fee of ₹4,000 for sterilization has been waived following discussions with NGOs. Additionally, he revealed that the government has allocated 25,000 square meters of land at Usgao for related initiatives, equipped with modern facilities for training.
He remarked on Goa's status as the first rabies-controlled state in India in 2021, attributing this achievement to Mission Rabies and animal welfare teams. Other states, including Rajasthan, are now seeking to learn from Goa’s model. Sawant also highlighted the establishment of a veterinary college at Curti, Ponda, aimed at producing trained professionals in veterinary care. He noted that the college will provide career opportunities and stated that the first batch includes 40 students, with formal inauguration scheduled for October.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister introduced the One Health, One Mission framework, integrating various sectors such as Health Services, Education, and Animal Husbandry, along with animal welfare organizations, local bodies, and communities. He reiterated that mass sterilization and vaccination remain critical despite ongoing breeding, urging citizens to support humane dog population management and report suspected rabies cases promptly. This initiative aligns with the broader national goals of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and Viksit Goa @ 2047.