Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George on Friday announced that instructions have been issued to ensure adequate treatment for snakebite patients, following a spate of snakebite deaths reported across Kerala in the past week.
Meeting with District Medical Officers
The Kerala Health Services Director convened a meeting with District Medical Officers (DMOs) to assess the situation after five snakebite deaths were recorded within a week. The minister emphasized that timely first aid and expert treatment can save lives in snakebite cases. She urged people not to waste time going to hospitals where anti-venom is unavailable, noting that anti-venom is currently available in 146 hospitals across the state.
Availability of Anti-Venom
Veena stated that anti-venom is also available in some community health centres and in all hospitals from the taluk level onwards. She urged the public to utilize the Kanivu 108 ambulance service in case of snakebite. Experienced emergency medical technicians in these ambulances can provide first aid and monitoring, and they carry a list of hospitals where anti-venom is available, ensuring patients are taken to the appropriate facility without delay.
First Aid Advice
Until the ambulance arrives, the snakebite victim should follow the advice of the 108 team. The victim should be kept calm, as panic can cause the venom to spread quickly through the bloodstream. Unnecessary movement should be avoided. The person should not be allowed to walk or run but should be carried or transported on a stretcher to the hospital. The wound should not be tightly tied. The priority is to reach a hospital as quickly as possible.
Treatment Protocol
Anti-snake venom is administered according to protocol based on symptoms and laboratory tests. All hospitals have been instructed to ensure treatment strictly according to protocol, Veena added.
Rising Temperatures and Snake Activity
Amid rising temperatures across Kerala, multiple snakebite cases have been reported, with four deaths, including two children, recorded in the past week. Experts have warned that snakes may enter houses during the summer in search of shade, cooler environments, and rodents.
