In a remarkable public health achievement, the Demow Rural Hospital in Assam's Sivasagar district has reported not a single death from snakebite for five years in a row. From 2021 through 2025, the hospital successfully treated over 3,500 patients bitten by snakes, marking a significant victory in a state with a high burden of such incidents.
The Demow Protocol: A Blueprint for Success
The hospital's stellar record is credited to a meticulously developed set of procedures known as the 'Demow Protocol.' This life-saving framework was born from direct field experience and intensive training. Dr. Surajit Giri of Demow Rural Hospital explained that the protocol rests on several key pillars: community-driven early reporting of bites, mandatory 24-hour observation for every patient, timely administration of anti-snake venom based on clinical symptoms, and providing uniform care to all, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. Crucially, it also includes tailored management for the specific venom syndromes prevalent in Assam.
Rising Trust and Rising Numbers
The effectiveness of this protocol has fueled a surge of trust within the community. As a result, case numbers at Demow Hospital have skyrocketed, reflecting a shift where more patients seek immediate, local care instead of traveling to distant facilities. The hospital managed just 19 cases in 2018, the year it began dedicated snakebite treatment. That number has grown exponentially to 882 cases in 2025.
Since 2018, the hospital has handled a total of 3,560 snakebite cases. Among these, 511 were identified as venomous bites, involving dangerous species like pit vipers, monocled cobras, red-necked keelbacks, and kraits. Despite the severity, the hospital has recorded only one fatality, which occurred back in 2020.
A Statewide Impact
Demow's success story is part of a larger positive trend across Assam. While the state continues to report a high number of snakebite cases—10,650 in 2024 and approximately 11,250 in 2025—the death toll has seen a dramatic decline. Statewide fatalities have fallen from over 150 in 2022 to just 27 in 2025. Health authorities attribute this significant drop to the widespread adoption of improved clinical management protocols, mirroring the approach pioneered at hospitals like Demow.
The journey of Demow Rural Hospital demonstrates how a dedicated, systematic, and community-focused approach can turn the tide against a major rural health challenge. Its five-year fatality-free streak stands as a powerful model for other regions in India grappling with snakebite emergencies.
