The Ministry of Health has elevated the importance of addressing snakebite incidents by designating it as a disease under the National Health Mission (NHM). This move requires all cases to be reported, enhancing surveillance and management efforts. By prioritizing snakebite treatment, the initiative aims to improve outcomes for those affected.
Siddarth Daga, CEO of VINS Bio, commended the government’s landmark decision to make snakebites notifiable, citing the Million Death Study in India, which revealed that snakebites caused an estimated 1.2 million deaths from 2000 to 2019, averaging 58,000 fatalities annually. Victims included a significant number of adults aged 30-69 and children under 15, with rural homes bearing the brunt of these losses. States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh experienced over 70% of the fatalities.
As a neglected tropical malady, snakebite envenomation results in death and long-term disabilities. Recognizing it as a notifiable disease equips the healthcare system to gather precise, real-time data essential for understanding its scale and geographic spread. This data will enhance resource distribution, improve anti-venom availability, and enable timely interventions. These outcomes are particularly beneficial in rural and isolated communities where snakebite occurrences are common and healthcare access is limited.
Moreover, this aligns with the World Health Organization’s aim to halve snakebite mortality and disability by 2030. Enhanced data collection will help identify high-risk regions, develop targeted educational campaigns, and establish efficient supply channels for anti-venom delivery. Training healthcare providers ensures accelerated and effective snakebite treatment, reducing deaths and long-term effects, Daga explained to Pharmabiz.
Dr. Shailesh Shetty S, senior consultant and emergency medicine lead at Aster CMI, emphasized that making snakebites reportable enhances data precision, identifies risk-prone areas, and enables improved healthcare responses. The Union Health Secretary underlined the necessity of comprehensive surveillance systems to monitor incidents, deaths, and the socio-economic repercussions of snakebites.
“Designating snakebites as notifiable is pivotal. It prioritizes resource distribution, enhances healthcare worker training, and improves patient care, particularly in underserved areas. This declaration addresses a significant national issue and bolsters India’s dedication to global health targets, ensuring timely and effective care for those at risk,” he added.
Dr. Chethan T L, a consultant physician at Kinder Hospital, noted that while many snakebites are non-venomous, a lack of awareness about initial symptoms and treatment often leads to delayed hospital visits, allowing complications to arise.
Key challenges in snakebite management include the shortage of anti-snake venom. Thus, making snakebites notifiable is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality rates.
Venomous bites, such as those from cobras, vipers, and Russell’s vipers, vary in symptoms and onset. Early identification and treatment of venomous bites are essential for favorable outcomes.