Primary healthcare facilities readiness for animal-related injuries: Availability, stock-Outs, and affordability of essential commodities in rural public health facilities, Tanzania

The study examined the availability, stockouts, and affordability of 33 essential commodities for treating animal-related injuries in 29 rural healthcare facilities in Tanzania during 2019-2023. Tanzania reports approximately 200 to 40,000 cases of animal-related injuries annually, with most deaths and complications being preventable if safe and effective medications are available. The availability of essential commodities remained below the World Health Organization target of 80 percent, with rural dispensaries more affected than health centers. A notable increase in availability was observed in 2023, but differences existed between facilities: snake antivenom was available in 34.6 percent of dispensaries and 100 percent of health centers. Nearly all assessed commodities were classified as financially unaffordable for the population. The study concluded that essential commodities for treating animal-related injuries remain inadequately available, frequently out of stock, and financially unaffordable in rural healthcare facilities.