Hyderabad NGO plans freedom from snake bite fatalities!

Snakes are the second most dreaded in the animal class Reptiles after crocodiles but play more important role than the latter when it comes to maintaining food chain balance in the ecosystem, controlling the rodent population to benefit the agrarian economy.

Unfortunately, these slimy reptiles get into the bad books in people's psyche whenever they unintentionally bite someone. Things get worse if the bite becomes fatal for the victim as a perception then grows that they need to be killed whenever sighted.

Enter Hyderabad based NGO Helping Hand Foundation. Starting 30th August, Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) in collaboration with Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences' (NIMS) Department of  Emergency Medicine, will be conducting skill based workshops on how to deal with "snake bite emergencies" for clincians in rural areas.

Each year, thousands of poor people, especially farmers in rural areas die or get incapacitated by snake bites and this program is said be designed to mitigate the risk. Besides, HHF is also setting up 'anti-venom centers' to make available lifesaving vials to the needy in the districts.

In this context, Daily Health Digest spoke to NGO HHF founder & president Mujtaba Hasan Askari for more details about their project.

1. How serious is the issue of snake bite fatalities in the state?  Do you have data on snake deaths? 
How many  from state/districts?

Last year, Osmania General Hospital (OGH) itself has reported 500 to 550 cases, while Gandhi Hospital reported 200 cases. Last month, there were 30 such cases in Gandhi Hospital.

The occurrence pattern show that 85 % cases come from districts, especially Kothagudam and Khamam tribal belts are worst affected.

2. Doctors are already supposed to be knowing about treatment modes in snake bite cases, so what value addition will HHF provide to clinicians?

This is a highly skill-based workshop designed by NIMS emergency medicine department with top experts sharing valuable life-saving interventions. Earlier in undivided Andhra Pradesh, they use to train GVK EMRI paramedics too.

 3. Will you also supply costly anti vials?

Each pentavalent anti serum vial costs about Rs 250. We are planning to rope in EMRI ambulances to stock these vials, so that they can give the first level intervention in snake bite poisoning.

4. Where will these vials be stored?

It may be stored within ambulance but will have to check with EMRI to understand the storing mechanism.

5. The 108 ambulances play a key role in shifting snake bite patients. Are u going to sensitise them about which clinicians they can refer to in such cases?

Initially, we intend to roll out this program is two districts of Khamam and Kothegudam as advised by commissioner health and family welfare  Karuna IAS. As and when the areas of operations expand, we will leverage our services in collaboration with 108 EMRI services and clinicians in respective areas.

Mujtaba Askari (tallest) with his staff