A NON-GOVERNMENT organization composed of volunteer nurses and doctors is setting up an Animal Bite Center here to immunize and treat people bitten by animals like dogs, cats and rats.

Councilor Jesus Canto said Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. with Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez will sign a memorandum of agreement shortly with RNMD Association as the latter’s center will be accommodated in one room of the City Health Office.

Canto, retired director of Region 1 Medical Center, said the association is composed of volunteer nurses and doctors “who have a passion for service.”

The group intends to establish the Animal Bite Centers in as many cities and provinces throughout the country to help immunize and treat people bitten by animals.

He said normally a person bitten by a dog will undergo six days of injection at P1,200 per injection or about P8,000 for the full dose.

At the Animal Bite Center, the injection will be shortened to only three days, the first day of which, on both shoulders, will be free.

On the next day, the person would be charged P325 and on the succeeding injectiuon which will be after one month, the same will be charged another P325 or a total P650 only.

For passive immunization, when a person is bitten by a dog confirmed to be rabid, he will spend only P1,000 instead of the original charge of from P10,000 to P20,000.

Canto, who sponsored the resolution in the city council seeking the establishment of the center, said the project is a big boon to the people of Dagupan, especially the poor.

In hosting the animal bite center, the city will not pay anything, Canto said, as the center will pay its own personnel and is even willing to train local nurses and doctors to administer and treat people bitten by animals, also for free. (PNA)