New Delhi, December 14, 2024 – With India accounting for nearly 58,000 snakebite deaths annually—almost half of the global total—the Supreme Court has called for urgent action to address this alarming crisis. A Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan issued notices to the Union and State governments on Friday, seeking their response to a petition demanding the widespread availability of anti-venom and snakebite treatment facilities across health centres, hospitals, and medical colleges.
The petition, filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi, urged the court to direct the government to initiate a “Snakebite Prevention Health Mission” and implement public awareness campaigns targeting high-risk regions, particularly in rural India, where the majority of snakebite incidents occur. The court has scheduled the next hearing for four weeks from now.
India’s Alarming Statistics on Snakebite Deaths
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.8–2.7 million snakebite envenomings occur globally each year, resulting in about 81,000–138,000 deaths. Shockingly, India accounts for nearly 50% of these fatalities, recording over 58,000 deaths annually. This figure is exacerbated by India’s large rural population, where farming activities and limited access to timely medical care heighten vulnerability to snakebites.
Studies published in The Lancet highlight that between 2000 and 2019, India saw over 1.2 million snakebite deaths, with rural areas of states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha being the worst affected. By contrast, countries like Brazil and sub-Saharan African nations, which also face high snakebite incidence, report far fewer deaths due to better healthcare infrastructure, preventive measures, and the accessibility of anti-venom.
Root Causes of High Mortality Rates
The petitioner emphasized several reasons for the high mortality rate in India:
- Inadequate Distribution of Anti-Venom: Despite the existence of anti-venom manufacturing facilities, its distribution is highly centralized, leaving rural areas underserved.
- Lack of Medical Training: Many healthcare providers, especially in rural areas, lack adequate training in managing snakebite cases effectively.
- Delayed Treatment: Victims often resort to traditional remedies, delaying medical intervention and increasing mortality risk.
- Low Awareness Levels: In many parts of rural India, there is limited awareness about first aid measures and the importance of seeking professional medical help.
Measures to Tackle the Crisis
The plea not only calls for making anti-venom widely available but also suggests additional measures to mitigate the snakebite crisis in India:
- Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: Establishing specialized snakebite treatment units in primary health centres (PHCs), district hospitals, and medical colleges in high-risk regions.
- Improving Anti-Venom Distribution: Ensuring an uninterrupted supply chain of anti-venom, especially to remote and rural healthcare facilities.
- Training Healthcare Workers: Conducting regular training programs for doctors, nurses, and paramedics to improve their ability to manage snakebite cases effectively.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Launching campaigns to educate rural communities about preventive measures, first aid, and the need for timely medical intervention.
- Developing Locally Effective Anti-Venom: Researching and producing region-specific anti-venom to address the venomous snake species prevalent in different parts of India.
- Reducing Snake-Human Encounters: Encouraging the use of protective gear, such as rubber boots and gloves for farmers, and implementing habitat management strategies to reduce human-snake conflicts.
Public Health Mission: A Global Lesson
Advocate Tripathi stressed that India could learn from nations like Sri Lanka, which reduced snakebite deaths by implementing coordinated public health programs. Sri Lanka’s snakebite prevention initiatives, which included community education and improved access to healthcare, resulted in significant reductions in mortality rates.
The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the urgency of addressing India’s snakebite crisis. Ensuring the availability of life-saving anti-venom and raising awareness could prevent tens of thousands of deaths annually. The court’s direction comes at a time when global health organizations have declared snakebites a neglected tropical disease, urging countries to take stronger action.
The petitioner’s plea aims not only to provide immediate relief but also to develop a long-term strategy to reduce snakebite-related deaths. As the case progresses, it is hoped that the government will prioritize this critical issue and implement the necessary measures to protect vulnerable communities.
This judicial push could mark the beginning of a comprehensive, life-saving public health mission that addresses one of India’s most overlooked yet devastating health crises.
