Afghanistan student’s real Kerala story, following a bite injury, goes viral

A reel shared by a student from Afghanistan, praising the treatment offered at the Government Medical College in Kottayam, has gone viral on social media. Afghanistan native Masoud Moslem, who is a research scholar at the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam, had sought treatment at the government medical college after he was bitten by an animal. 

Masoud expresses heartfelt gratitude for the hospital's amazing facilities and efficient treatment. The Instagram video narrating his personal experience went viral on social media within hours. Masoud shot the video in front of the newly renovated entrance area of the medical college, with the caption ‘Reality of Kerala’. 

Masoud said, “I just want to say thank you, government of Kerala. Today I came to Medical College, Kottayam. I came for an injection following an animal bite. They gave me all the facilities for free. I didn't pay even a rupee - free injection, free medicine." The video has since amassed more than 390K likes and 5,949 shares on Instagram. In yet another video, Masoud has revealed that he had multiple dog bites on both his hands and had to take injections for all of them. "Never have I experienced something similar in my life," he said in the video. 

Masoud Moslem has previously posted videos about Kerala's impeccable natural beauty and cultural heritage on his social media page. In a video shot in the beautiful countryside of Kaipuzha in Kottayam, Masoud urges everyone to step out of their homes to enjoy the scintillating evenings in Kerala villages. Besides, videos of him celebrating Holi at the Ettumanoor temple and relishing kappa biryani could be seen on his page. A detailed video of Masoud’s trip to Illickal Kallu, posted on his YouTube channel, has also been attracting viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. What injections are given following an animal bite?
Doctors follow the standard rabies prevention protocol depending on the severity of the bite. The main injection is an anti-rabies vaccine (ARV), and if the bite is deep, additional injections are also administered.

2. Is the rabies vaccine free in Kerala?
The ARV vaccine is free at all government clinics and hospitals, including Government Medical Colleges, District Hospitals, Primary Health Centres, and Taluk Hospitals. 
3. What to do immediately after an animal bite?
a) Wash the bites well with running water and soap for a few minutes to reduce infection.
b) Apply an ointment or antibiotic cream and cover it with a bandage. 
c) Seek quick medical care if it is deep and you aren't sure how serious it is.