Pune ZP to train doctors to treat victims of man-animal conflicts

Pune: The Pune Zilla Parishad has planned a training programme for doctors at the Primary Health Centres (PHC) in leopard-prone Junnar, Ambegaon and Shirur tehsils to give preliminary treatment to those injured in leopard attacks.

At present, victims of wild animal attacks are taken to the Sassoon General Hospital for treatment as the PHC staffers are not adequately trained or equipped to deal with the injuries caused in such attacks.

Ayush Prasad, the ZP’s CEO, said the issue was brought up by the forest department and based on their inputs and the situation on the ground in the region, they have decided to conduct the programme for doctors working in the zone.

“The training could be conducted at Aundh chest hospital. Our endeavour is to orient them on basic aspects of treatment and make necessary medicines available for emergency treatment,” Prasad said. Jayramgowda R, deputy conservator of forest of Junnar division, where maximum leopard attacks occur, said, “ If we train and make medicines available at these centres the victims will get quick treatment.” Forest officials said at least 10 attacks occur annually in the Junnar division.

Ambadas Deokar, the head of Manchar sub-district hospital, said, “Making immunoglobulin injections available in adequate quantity at PHCs and sub-centres is necessary to provide treatment to the patients.”

Dadasaheb Rokade, a resident of Junnar, said, “Authorities need to pay attention to this aspect as attacks may increase in the coming days as sugarcane crushing is on.”