Which snake bites cause maximum deaths in the country, now the government has taken a big decision

New Delhi: The central government has taken a big step to reduce deaths due to snake bites in India. The Health Ministry has declared snakebite as a ‘notifiable disease’. This means that now all hospitals will have to inform the government about snake bite cases. This will help the government to understand the true picture of the problem of snakebite and deal with it. Under the ‘National Snakebite Prevention and Control Plan’ (NAPSE), the target is to halve deaths due to snakebite by 2030. The scheme focuses on surveillance, treatment and awareness. Let us know which snake bites cause maximum deaths in the country.

50 thousand people die every year due to snake bite

Every year lakhs of people become victims of snake bites in India. According to Health Ministry data, 30 to 40 lakh people are bitten by snakes every year. Of these, approximately 50,000 people lose their lives. This number is more than the population of many small countries. India accounts for almost half of all snakebite deaths worldwide. But, these cases are not reported properly. This is making it difficult to estimate the seriousness of the problem.

Snake Bite Cases India: Does 64 thousand deaths seem less every year? Why is the government not making adequate arrangements for the treatment of snake bites?

Most deaths due to bites of these snakes

Many species of snakes are found in India. Some of these are very poisonous, some less so. More dangerous snakes include Common Krait, Indian Cobra, Russell’s Viper and Saw-scaled Viper. These four snakes are responsible for 90 percent of snakebite cases in India. ‘Polyvalent anti-snake venom’ is given in case of their bite. This medicine is effective in 80 percent of snake bite cases.

Central government took a big decision

Now the government has taken concrete steps to deal with this problem. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has written a letter in this regard to the Health Secretaries of all the states and union territories. he/she said snake bites are a public health concern and in some cases, it causes death, illness and disability. Farmers, tribal population etc. are at greater risk.

Snakebite now ‘notifiable disease’

The Union Health Secretary has requested all States to make snakebite cases and deaths a ‘notifiable disease’ under relevant provisions under the State Public Health Act or other applicable law. The letter has appealed to all government and private health facilities (including medical colleges). They have been clearly told that they will give information about snake bite cases and deaths. They will have to submit a report in this regard.

That’s why the government started a special scheme

However, the problem in case of snake bites is that expert doctors and treatment facilities are not available in many areas. Lack of information and awareness related to this is also a big challenge. To reduce deaths due to snakebite, the government has launched ‘National Snakebite Prevention and Control Plan’ (NAPSE). The plan aims to halve deaths due to snakebites by 2030.

Special focus on 3 points in this scheme

Three main works are being done under the new scheme of the Central Government. The first is to strengthen the surveillance system in snakebite cases. Secondly, it is important to provide better treatment facilities to such people and thirdly, spreading awareness about it among the people is important. The government has appealed to all hospitals and health centers to cooperate in this work. This step of the Central Government is an important initiative in the fight against snakebite. It is expected that this will save the lives of millions of people.