50,000 Indians die due to snakebite every year

Bhopal, Apr 12 (UNI) There are approximately one lakh deaths due to snakebite worldwide, of which about 50 per cent deaths occur in the country.

The fact exposes the gap between developed and developing countries in existing medical facilities. The percentage of snakebite deaths in Australia and the US -- both having larger population of poisonous snakes in comparison to India -- is one and five per cent respectively.

The fact came to light during a one-day state-level workshop on snakebite remedy in Madhya Pradesh. The workshop was inaugurated by Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi.

WHO Snakebite group expert Ian D Simpson, Principal Secretary (Health) M M Upadhyay and Health Commissioner Rajesh Rajora were also present.

Stressing on the need for developing snakebite treatment as per circumstances in India, Mr Simpson said basic facilities and training for snakebite treatment was necessary in rural areas.

The number of snakebite deaths could be reduced in rural areas by making facilities for its treatment at primary healthcare centres.

He said 733 people had died due to snakebite during the past seven months in Madhya Pradesh.

Mr Simpson said percentage of snakebite deaths in Indian and Pakistan was 20 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. He informed that workshops on snakebite and its remedies were being organised across the country by the WHO and various state governments.

Mr Vishnoi said adequate training must be provided to doctors in view of rising incidents of snakebite deaths in the country.

Pointing out that most snakes found in the country were not poisonous, he said there should be awareness about the nature of snakes. In this regard, students must be provided information and literature should be distributed in schools.

He said the number of deaths due to snakebite was rising in the country. The government had made arrangements for snakebite treatment in hospitals but awareness needs to be spread in t his regard.

After Bhopal, a workshop would be organised in Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Rewa divisional headquarters. The doctors receiving treatment during the workshops would be able to train doctors at primary healthcare centres.

UNI