Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa will observe World Rabies Day 2026 with a five-day statewide awareness campaign from September 28 to October 3, focusing on rabies prevention through vaccination, dog sterilisation and a coordinated One Health approach.
The campaign is being organised by Mission Rabies–Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) Goa Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Department of Health, Goa Animal Federation, Rotary Club of Miramar and Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera. The campaign will be inaugurated on September 28 at 9 am at the Goa Science Centre, Miramar.
As part of the initiative, a free door-to-door dog vaccination drive, sterilisation campaign, children’s rally, Rabies Doggie Float, Digital Awareness Vehicle and a One Health Awareness Workshop will be conducted across the state.
The programme will also feature awareness sessions on rabies prevention, animal welfare and public health, besides educational and cultural activities. The 2026 theme, “Stronger Together,” highlights the importance of coordinated efforts among the veterinary, healthcare, education and animal welfare sectors in preventing rabies.
The campaign will also showcase Goa’s experience in rabies control, which Mission Rabies has subsequently taken forward in other parts of India and internationally.
As part of efforts to strengthen veterinary infrastructure in the state, the Government of Goa has provided five acres of land to WVS for a proposed world-class veterinary centre. The centre is expected to support large-scale dog sterilisation and strengthen veterinary education and research, including practical surgical training for students of the new Veterinary College.
The inaugural programme is scheduled to be attended by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant; Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Nilkant Halarnkar; Director of Health Services Dr. Medha Salkar; Director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Dr. Nitin Naik; Director of Education Sailesh R. Sinai Zingde; State Project Director, Goa Samagra Shiksha, Manoj B. Sawaikar; Chief Medical Officer, SVNIT, Surat, Dr. Sanjay Shah; President, Goa Animal Federation, K. D. Row; President, Rotary Club of Miramar, Anshul Singhal; President, Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera, Colleen Sequeira; India Director of Education, Mission Rabies, Dr. Murugan Appupillai; Director of Animal Welfare, Mission Rabies India, Julie Corfmat; and Director, WVS-Hicks Goa, Dr. Stacy Sequeira.
The five-day campaign aims to reinforce public awareness that preventing rabies requires sustained vaccination, responsible animal population management, timely healthcare and cooperation among communities and public institutions.
