Bandung Launches Free Rabies Vaccination Programme 'Bangsawan' to Protect Public Health

The Food and Agriculture Security Agency (DKPP) of Bandung City held the ‘Bandung Jaga Kesehatan Hewan’ (Bangsawan) movement at RW 02 Taman Ciko Arena, Maleer Village, Batununggal District, on Tuesday (14/7). This activity is part of the Bandung City Government’s effort to maintain animal health while preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases, particularly rabies, through free vaccination services. DKPP veterinarian drh Duhori Muslim explained that Bangsawan is an animal health service programme focused on rabies prevention. “DKPP has an obligation to maintain animal health in Bandung City. One of the programmes we run is Bangsawan, which is rabies vaccination as an effort to prevent zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans,” he said. According to him, in addition to rabies vaccination, DKPP also runs the Kopi Cinta (Feral Cat Population Control) programme through the sterilisation of feral cats to control their population in Bandung City. Before being vaccinated, each animal undergoes a health check to ensure it is healthy and at least four months old. “DKPP also educates pet owners about post-vaccination care and urges the public to carry out routine rabies vaccinations every year according to standards because an annual booster is required,” he explained. The Bangsawan programme received a positive response from the public. One pet owner, Susi, admitted she was helped by the free rabies vaccination service. “This programme is very helpful because it is free. My goal in participating is to keep my cats healthy. I hope programmes like this continue because the cat population in our neighbourhood continues to grow,” she said. Through collaboration with various villages and sub-districts, DKPP is targeting rabies vaccination coverage of at least 70% of the rabies-carrying animal population in Bandung City. The Bandung City Government invites the public to routinely vaccinate their pets and work together to create a healthy, safe, and rabies-free environment.