JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Australia has announced an additional supply of 200,000 rabies vaccines for dogs to assist Indonesia in managing rabies, coinciding with World Rabies Day on September 28. This support is part of ongoing efforts to combat the disease in the region.

In a press release from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Deputy Ambassador Gita Kamath praised Indonesia’s leadership in mobilizing health services to tackle the rabies outbreak. She emphasized the importance of local health services that are responsive and work closely with communities to coordinate effective responses.

“Local health services that are responsive and work closely with communities are key to coordinating a successful response,” she stated.

Australia has been actively collaborating with Indonesia on rabies control initiatives. These efforts include mass dog vaccinations, training programs for vaccinators and public health personnel, and community education to raise awareness about rabies prevention.

Kamath noted that the newly supplied vaccines will significantly bolster Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to protect its population from rabies. Of the 200,000 vaccines, 130,000 are specifically allocated for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

This additional support complements previous assistance, including 200,000 doses already provided for NTT and 400,000 doses for Bali. These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to enhance rabies control across Indonesia.

The theme for World Rabies Day 2024 is “Breaking Boundaries on Rabies,” which highlights the significance of a One Health approach. This approach integrates health initiatives for humans, animals, and the environment while promoting collaboration across various sectors and countries.

Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to the global objective of eliminating rabies-related human deaths by 2030. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance public health and safety in the region.

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