Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organized by the Department of Livestock Services at the Cotton Development Board conference room in Dhaka on Monday (September 28, 2026) to mark World Rabies Day, the minister called for expanding mass animal vaccination drives and ensuring rapid medical response following exposure. He highlighted that while urban awareness regarding rabies is relatively high, rural communities remain vulnerable due to a lack of information, leading to higher mortality rates in marginal areas. To address this gap, the government plans to revitalize nationwide awareness campaigns, field monitoring, and mass dog vaccination drives. He added that animal disease control directly impacts human health, urging an integrated "One Health" approach to protect public welfare and support the rural livestock economy. The discussion was chaired by Dr. Md. Shahzaman Khan, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, with Cotton Development Board Executive Director Rezaul Amin attending as a special guest. Speakers at the event stressed the importance of field-level supervision and community-focused seminars to eradicate rabies deaths.