The Ashanti Region Health Directorate has urged dog owners to prioritise vaccinating their pets as a preventive measure to avoid the high costs of treating dog bite victims.

Deputy Director in charge of Public Health, Dr. Emmanuel Tevie, emphasised that annual vaccination not only protects dogs, families, and the community from rabies but also eliminates the need for costly treatment for those bitten.

He told the media during a rabies awareness campaign in Effiduase in the Sekyere East District that, the human vaccine for treating dog bite victims is very expensive and often unaffordable for many.

“So the cheapest and most effective way of fighting rabies is to vaccinate our dogs," he stated.

Dr. Tevie stated that deaths from rabies are preventable and emphasised the importance of all stakeholders actively supporting health authorities' efforts in combating the disease.

The rabies awareness campaign organised by the Sekyere East District Health Directorate, which was preceded by a float through the streets of Effiduase raised public awareness about the dangers of rabies.

The campaign was joined by schoolchildren, who are often victims of dog bites, as well as chiefs and elders, health workers, police officers, and others. They strategically gathered at the Effiduase station to attract attention to the cause.

Health officials highlighted the importance of the campaign, noting that the district accounted for two of the five confirmed rabies cases in the Ashanti region last year. This has led to a heightened focus on awareness efforts in the area.

Dr. Tevie explained that dog bites are always a potential risk, especially in communities where dogs and cats roam freely without restraints. He stressed the importance of vaccinating these animals to ensure the safety of everyone.

He said the seriousness of the issue is crucial to keep raising awareness so that people understand that rabies is real, preventable, but also deadly.

He also urged victims of dog bites to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility, warning that any delay in treatment could be fatal.

The Sekyere East District Director of Health Services, Dr. Justice Ofori-Amoah, stated that the campaign was crucial because rabies poses a significant public health threat.

He highlighted the concerning fact that the district accounted for two of the five confirmed rabies cases in the entire region in 2024, underscoring the need for dog and cat owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated.

He said the district directorate wanted to inform the public that the disease is both curable and preventable if early steps are taken to address it.

Aside the rabies, the district has also embarked on other initiatives to fight growing cases of other diseases.