Kerala - Kochi   

Get it R.I.G.H.T. when a snake bites you

A new snakebite first aid poster was launched by Lonappan Nambadan, MP, and Ian D Simpson from the Indian Snakebite Research Initiative and WHO Snakebite Treatment Group at a school in Chalakudy today.

Snakebite remains a major medical problem in India, with the WHO stating that 50,000 people lose their lives each year due to snakebite.

In Kerala, it is possible to find all the major venomous species of snakes that can be found in India. These are the cobra, the krait, the Russells viper, the saw-scaled viper and the hump-nosed pit viper. Kerala is one of the States recognised as having a major problem with snakebite. Much of the first aid administered when venomous snakes bite them causes more harm than good.

It is for this reason that the Indian Snakebite Research Initiative has designed a specific poster for schools to teach children how to identify the venomous snakes of India and crucially what first aid to use in the event of a bite.

The first aid method, shown on the poster is called the "Do it R.I.G.H.T." campaign. The method includes:

R - Reassure the Patient.

I - Immobilise the bitten part without tight bandages.

G H - Get the patient to Hospital as soon as possible. Anti-venom is the only cure for a venomous snakebite.

T - Tell the doctor of any signs or symptoms such as drooping eyelids that happen on the way to the hospital.

Kerala will be the first State in India to deploy the new posters in schools and is part of a series of community education initiatives and research into how to improve treatment for snakebite, being carried out in a number of institutions in Kerala such as the Little Flower Hospital at Angamaly.

Ian D Simpson, herpetologist and snakebite treatment expert, said: "We hope to ensure that every child or young person knows which are the dangerous snakes and what to do in the event of a bite. Young people can act as local experts and make sure everybody does it R.I.G.H.T." The Health Minister K.K. Ramachandran has offered Government support for the programme. Generous support has been given by the C.K.M. NSS School in Chalakudy and the Rotary Club of Angamaly.

K . Venkiteswaran

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