Centre launches national action plan to reduce snakebite deaths by half by 2030

NEW DELHI: As India contributes to nearly 50 percent of global snakebite deaths and is considered the snakebite capital of the world, the Centre for the first time rolled out a national action plan for its prevention and control.

The National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in India (NAPSE) was launched as India aims to reduce snakebite deaths by half by 2030.

The action plan will provide a broad framework for states to develop their action plan for the management, prevention, and control of snakebites through the ‘One Health’ approach.

A helpline number – 15400 – which would provide immediate assistance, guidance, and support to individuals and communities affected by snakebites, will be piloted in five states and Union Territories (UTs). These are Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.

The idea is that the public will get prompt access to medical care and information.

As per Central Bureau of Health Investigation (CBHI) reports (2016-2020), the average annual frequency of snakebite cases in India is around 3 lakhs and about 2,000 deaths occur due to snakebite envenoming, it said.

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.