High Court orders adequate supply of antivenom to all upazila hospitals

The High Court has ordered adequate supply of snake bite antivenom in sufficient quantity to all upazila government hospitals across the country.

The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Syed Zahed Munsar passed the order on Monday during the initial hearing of a writ petition filed in public interest.

Health Secretary, Director General of the Drug Administration Department and other parties concerned have been asked to implement the order.

Earlier on Sunday (August 17), Advocate Mir AKM Nurunnabi filed the writ petition seeking directions to supply snake bite antivenom to all upazila-level government hospitals in the country.

Referring to various news published in media outlets, the writ states that 38 people have died due to snake bites across the country from February to July 1 of this year.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, in these five months, 610 people have been bitten by snakes. A total of 416 patients have been admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital since January till now due to snake bites. Of these, 91 were venomous snake bites while 18 were Russell's viper (Chandrabora) bites. A total of 11 patients died of which five died due to Chandrabora bites.
In addition, various theories, information, rumors, and some fear and panic have been prevailing across the country regarding Russell's viper in recent times.

Snake bites are recognized as a major public health problem in Bangladesh.

According to a national survey conducted in 2022, more than four lakh people in Bangladesh were bitten by snakes. Out of which, unfortunately, about seven and a half thousand people died. Despite insufficient information about snakes, the main venomous snakes include the cobra, krait (Kalach), Chandrabora or Russell's viper and green snake. Some marine snake bites have also occurred in the country. Therefore, it is extremely important to provide adequate amounts of snakebite antivenom to government hospitals in all upazilas of the country to save lives.