India, Jan. 26 -- Despite clear directions from the National Medical Commission (NMC) that all hospitals must have a stock of anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin at all times, several major Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run facilities in the city continue to face shortages, forcing patients with severe dog bites to be referred to advanced or specialised centres.

The NMC circular, issued on December 29, 2025, followed a Supreme Court order in the suo motu case regarding stray dogs. The circular categorically stated that "all government and private hospitals must maintain mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and immunoglobulin (RIG) at all times." The importance of stocking up on anti-rabies medications stems f...