By Dayak Daily Team,Editor KB
Copyright dayakdaily
By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 1: The Sarawak government has pledged to provide free rabies vaccination by mobilising teams, especially from the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), but stressed that the public must also act with urgency in curbing the deadly disease.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said Sarawak has recorded 80 deaths out of 87 human rabies cases, a figure he described as alarming and unacceptable.
“This effort cannot be carried out by the authorities alone. The Health Department, DVSS, local authorities, communities, and animal lovers must work hand in hand.
“Enforcement alone is not enough. We must step up awareness because, frankly, no one should die from rabies,” he emphasised when speaking at the Gala Dinner in conjunction with Rabies in Borneo 2025 held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday (Sept 30).
He warned that indifference to its dangers could have dire consequences for individuals and those around them.
Dr Rundi highlighted that education and awareness are now at the core of Sarawak’s rabies strategy, as the disease is entirely preventable.
Also present were permanent secretary to the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Datu Sirai Daha, Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah, DVSS director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, Place Borneo co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Mona Abdul Manap and Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) president Datin Dona Drury Wee. — DayakDaily
