Odisha rolls out plan to reduce snakebite deaths

With snakebites emerging as the leading cause of natural disaster deaths in Odisha, the State government has decided to ensure deployment of doctors at primary health centres in snakebite-prone areas and make ambulances available for swift transfer of patients to hospitals.

As many as 1,716 people lost their lives due to snakebites during the past three years. The number of casualties due to snakebite, highest among all disasters, accounts for about 37% of the total disaster deaths (4,689) during the period.

“We have asked the Health and Family Welfare Department to ensure availability of medical officers at primary health centres in snakebite-prone areas. Besides, required number of 108 ambulances will be made available in blocks for shifting snakebite patients to the nearest health institution,” said Bishnupada Sethi, Managing Director of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority.

The State government is working on a plan to bring all snakebite victims to the nearest health institution at the earliest for medical examination and administering anti-venom.

Highest deaths

The highest of 164 deaths has been reported from Balasore district, followed by 147 in Ganjam and 145 in both Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj during the period.