**Summary:**
In response to concerns about snakebite fatalities in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has addressed the issue through a multi-pronged approach. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), a guidance document aimed at reducing snakebite envenoming risk through sustained availability of Anti Snake Venom (ASV), capacity building, referral mechanisms, and public education. This plan is accessible at https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NATIONALACTIONPLANFORPREVENTIONANDCONTROLOFSNAKEBITEENVENOMINGNAPSE.pdf.
The MoHFW is implementing a Programme for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in all States/UTs under the National Health Mission, which includes the provision of ASV under the National Free Drug Initiative, funding for capacity building and training of healthcare professionals, and awareness campaigns. A protocol for the initial management of snakebite cases for Medical Officers at Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Community Health Centres (CHC) has been framed and disseminated to all States/UTs.
To improve surveillance, States/UTs have been advised to make snakebite a notifiable disease. Standardized training material on clinical management of snakebite envenoming for clinicians has been prepared and disseminated, and can be accessed at https://qps.nhsrcindia.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Management%20of%20Snake%20Bite.pdf. Polyvalent ASV is procured by States/UTs from manufacturers approved by the Drug Controller General of India.
Key Entities Referenced
National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snake bite Envenoming (NAPSE): A guidance document launched by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) aimed at systematic reduction of Snakebite envenoming risk through sustained availability of Anti Snake Venom, Capacity building, referral mechanism and public education.
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): An Indian government organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snake bite Envenoming (NAPSE).
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW): The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy, implementing the Programme for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in all States/UTs under National Health Mission.
National Health Mission: A centrally sponsored scheme of the Indian government, under which the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the Programme for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in all States/UTs.
Anti Snake Venom: A pharmaceutical product used to treat snakebite envenoming, provision of which is included under National Free Drug Initiative.
Primary Health Centre (PHC): A basic healthcare facility in India, where a protocol for initial management of snakebite cases for Medical Officers has been framed and disseminated.
Community Health Centre (CHC): A higher-level healthcare facility than a PHC in India, where a protocol for initial management of snakebite cases for Medical Officers has been framed and disseminated.
Drug Controller General of India: The authority that approves manufacturers from which States/UTs procure Polyvalent Anti venom.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1060
TO BE ANSWERED ON25.07.2025
DEATHDUE TO SNAKE-BITE
1060 SHRIVISHWESHWAR HEGDEKAGERI:
PROF.SOUGATARAY:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate:-
(a)whether it isa factthat snakebite kill above 58,000 people peryearinthe country, close
tohalfthe globaltotal;
(b) if so, the detailsof snakebite deathsinthe countryespecially inthe rural areassince the
last three years, State/UT-wise includingKarnataka;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to reduce snakebite fatalities in the country by
launching a National Action Plan, establishment of new serpentariums and modern
research centres;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for not implementing a comprehensive
nationalpolicytostop snakebite deathsinthe country;
(e) whether snakebite deaths are more common during the south-west monsoon season
(June-September),if so, the detailsthereof; and
(f) whether the antivenom used in India has undergone clinical trials to ensure meeting
minimumqualitystandard andif so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH & FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV)
(a)to(e): National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) has launched National Action
Plan for “Prevention and Control of Snake bite Envenoming(NAPSE)” which is a
guidance document that aims at systematic reduction of Snakebite envenoming risk
through sustained availability of Anti Snake Venom, Capacity building, referral
mechanism and public education that can be accessed at https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-
content/uploads/2024/07/NATIONAL-ACTION-PLAN-FOR-PREVENTION-AND-CON
TROL-OF-SNAKEBITE-ENVENOMING-NAPSE.pdf.
To address the burden of Snakebite in India, NCDC, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing “Programme for Prevention and Control of
Snakebite Envenoming” inall States/UTs underNational Health Mission. The activities
includedare;
Provisionof Anti SnakeVenom underNational FreeDrug Initiative Fundsfor Capacitybuildingand trainingof Healthcare professionals
Awareness campaigns
Protocol for initial management of snakebite cases for Medical Officers at Primary
Health Centre (PHC)/ Community Health Centre (CHC) level has been framed and
disseminated toallStates/UTs.
To strengthen surveillance of snakebite cases and deaths, States/ UTs have been
advised by MoHFWtomake it a notifiable disease.
Standardized training material on clinical management of snakebite envenoming for
clinicians has been prepared and disseminated to the States which can be accessed at
https://qps.nhsrcindia.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Management%20of%20Snake%20Bite.pdf
(f): Polyvalent Anti venom is procured by States/UTs from manufacturers approved by
DrugControllerGeneralofIndia.
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