United News of Bangladesh

The government has provided financial assistance for the families of those died and those fell ill after being bitten by a rabid dog in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district recently. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Masudur Rahman Molla and local lawmaker Majedur Rahman handed over assistance to the relatives of the deceased and the injured at an event on the Konchibari Union Parishad premises on Friday. Under the initiative of the Gaibandha district administration, Tk 25,000 was provided for each family of the deceased, while the injured received Tk 15,000 each. Additional Deputy Commissioner AKM Hedaitul Islam and Sundarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Effat Zahan Tuli, among others, were present at the event. At least five people have died within a week after being bitten by the rabid dog at different villages of Konchibari and Chaprohati unions in Sundarganj, creating panic amid an alleged shortage of anti-rabies vaccines at local health facilities. The latest victim, Yasmin Sultana, 40, died at her home in Bajra Konchibari village on Wednesday. According to locals, the dog attacked at least 14 people, including women and children, on April 22. The injured victims initially received treatment locally before going to Gaibandha General Hospital in search of anti-rabies vaccines. Earlier, Afroza Begum, 50, died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Nanda Rani and Fulu Mia died on May 6, while Ratneshwar Kumar, a mason, died on May 8. Earlier on Monday, the upazila administration provided Tk 10,000 in financial assistance for each family of the deceased.