In India, the action plan said, only a small proportion of snakebite victims across countries report to the clinics and hospitals and the actual burden of snake bites is grossly under-reported.Launched by Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra, the action plan says that majority of snakebite envenomation deaths can be avoided with prompt availability of safe and effective anti-venoms, timely transport, and referral.The NAPSE is a guidance document for the state’s, UTs and stakeholders to develop their action plans specific to their needs, and aims at systematic reduction of snakebite envenoming risk through sustained availability of anti-snake venom, capacity building, referral mechanism, and public education, the document said.The strategic action for the human health component includes ensuring the provision of anti-snake venom at all health facilities, strengthening surveillance of snakebite cases and deaths in humans, strengthening emergency care services at district hospitals and community health centres, including services for an ambulance, institutionalisation of regional venom centres and inter-sectoral coordination.The key interventions to reduce deaths due to snakebite include upskilling of medical officers for timely and standard treatment to ensure any victim of snakebite envenoming receives anti-snake venom (ASV) in time and his/her progress is monitored with timely referral/dosage.The second intervention involves mass awareness, which is key for preventing snakebite, especially in high-risk areas.
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