The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : New way to tackle snakebites

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

New way to tackle snakebites

Staff Reporter

WHO asks medical personnel to adapt to a new national treatment protocol

HYDERABAD: Use of rope, belt or cloth to stop the flow of venom into the body by applying pressure, cutting the body part, sucking out the venom, washing the wound and the likes, have been some of the traditional methods of treating snakebites.

But the World Health Organisation (WHO) experts have asked for such traditional methods to be discarded. They are now asking medical personnel to adapt to a new national treatment protocol currently under review by the Union Ministry of Health.

According to the WHO estimate, 2.5 lakh persons are bitten by snakes each year in the country with the mortality rate as high as 50,000. Most victims go to Government hospitals but the general level of expertise in snakebite management is very low, said Ian D. Simpson, WHO's Snakebite Treatment Group.

He pointed out at a recent workshop conducted on awareness of snakebites organised by Bayer Crop Science recently that the most important issue was to provide effective first aid for victims to enable them to reach the nearest medical facility in the best possible condition.

`R-I-G-H-T'

Recommended first aid method is `R-I-G-H-T': R- reassure patient that 70 per cent of all snake bites are from non-venomous snakes and only 50 per cent bites of venomous species actually poison the person, I - immobilise the same way as a fractured limb by using bandages or cloth to hold splints and not to apply pressure. Do not apply compression in any form as it does not work and could be dangerous, G- get to H- hospital immediately and look out for any T- tell tale signs to inform the doctor of any systematic symptoms such as dropping of eyes.

Participants including doctors, corporates and non-governmental organisations were informed about the snake bite prevention protocol, occupational risks, diagnosis, administration of anti-snake venom, treatment protocol, cause effects, etc.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh