Nakuru residents have raised concern over the lack of anti-rabies vaccine in district hospitals in Molo and Elburgon.
The residents pointed out that the increased cases of bites from dogs in the area has forced them to seek treatment in private hospitals and clinics whose charges are costly.
Speaking on Monday, the residents claimed they are forced to pay Sh900 for injections for five days.
“We were turned away from the government hospitals when our son was bit by a stray dog and could only get the vaccine at a private pharmacy last Friday," said Rachael Muthoni, a parent.
Muthoni pointed out that the bite could have turned out fatal. “We needed to have the injection soon lest he falls ill,” he added.
However, Nakuru chief public health officer Samuel Kingori said the drug they expect the vaccine to be delivered by the Ministry of Health from its headquarters in Nairobi.
“It is a very expensive drug and we only rely on the main hospital to deliver it to all the major hospitals in the county,” he added.
Peter Muchiri also said that they had to travel to St Marys Hospital in Gilgil for the injection which was more than 100 kilometers away
“We were informed that the period between the bite and the onset of symptoms takes four to 12 weeks for a person to develop rabies symptoms once they're infected. Yet the government is not giving the issue the seriousness it deserves,” he added.