Snakebite Deaths Put Emergency Care Under Spotlight The recent deaths of three tribal girls in Gadchiroli and two others in Nagpur within a fortnight have brought urgent attention to systemic gaps in emergency care for snakebite victims, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to specialized treatment is limited. The incidents have sparked calls for improved preparedness, faster emergency response, and stricter adherence to clinical protocols to prevent preventable fatalities. Dr. Priyanka Kadam, president and founder of the Snakebite Healing and Education Society, as well as a member of the World Health Organization’s roster of experts on snakebite envenoming, highlighted the critical need for immediate clinical assessment and treatment for neurotoxic snakebites. She emphasized that respiratory complications can develop rapidly, making timely intervention essential. “Every snakebite death after hospital admission should be reviewed to understand whether there were delays in recognition, referral, or treatment,” Kadam stated. She also urged greater clinician participation in snakebite-management training to enhance preparedness. Snakebite was officially classified as a notifiable disease in India in 2024, a move that underscores the severity of the issue. However, the recent deaths have exposed challenges in implementing the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE). Kadam stressed the importance of strengthening the plan through faster emergency response mechanisms and strict compliance with clinical guidelines. In Gadchiroli, three tribal girls staying at an ashramshala succumbed to snakebite, while a fourth is currently receiving treatment in Nagpur.#world_health_organization #bharatiya_janata_party #maha_vikas_aghadi #snakebite_healing_and_education_society #wildlife_welfare_society
