The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched a National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) during a ceremony in New Delhi, Delhi envisaging a reduction in snakebite deaths by halve by 2030.
- It was launched by Apurva Chandra, Secretary, MoHFW.
Mission:
To progressively reduce the morbidity, mortality and its associated complications in humans due to Snake bite
Reason behind this Framework:
Snakebite envenoming, stemming from venomous snake bites, is a potentially lethal condition necessitating timely treatment with effective antivenoms. In India, snakebites account for around 50,000 deaths annually which is half of global snakebite fatalities, an many cases remain unreported amidst an estimated 3-4 million incidents yearly.
- The ‘big four’ snakes viz. common krait, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper causes 90% of snakebites. While polyvalent anti-snake venom proves effective in 80% of cases.
- The inadequate healthcare resources, lack of comprehensive data on snakebite incidence and trained personnel pose challenges. In order to overcome this situation, the framework has been launched.
What is in the framework?
NAP-SE in India is a framework that offers guidance to states, Union Territories (UTs), and other stakeholders to create customized action plans to manage, prevent, and handle snakebites through the ‘One Health’ approach.  The activities envisaged under human, wildlife, tribal and Animal health component will be undertaken by concerned stakeholders at all levels.
- The states will identify and nominate State and District Nodal Officer (SNO & DNO) to coordinate with SNO and DNO of Snake Bite Prevention and Control (SBPC).
Other Launches:
i.A Snakebite Helpline no (15400) for immediate assistance, guidance, and support to individuals and communities affected by snakebite incidents is piloted in five States viz. Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Assam, Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Delhi.
- This initiative aims to ensure prompt access to medical care and information to general public.
ii.The event saw the launch of a booklet on ‘Snakebite – Let’s put an end to snakebite deaths’; Posters on Do’s and Don’ts for general community; and a 7-minute video on Snakebite Awareness to educate the general community, serving as essential tools to disseminate crucial information and empower proactive measures against snakebite.
iii.The National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) Website was launched, offering resources and updates on Rabies, facilitating States/UT in entering animal bite and rabies data, aiding the community in locating nearest Anti Rabies Clinic and Infectious disease hospital, and sending vaccination follow-up reminders via SMS. Click Here to Read about NRPC
iv.The National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses was added to the Integrated Health Initiative Platform to enhance surveillance of zoonotic diseases nationwide.
- This program, initially approved in 2013 as a Central Sector Scheme (CSS), has since been incorporated as Scheme B under the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) umbrella, alongside other initiatives such as the Viral Hepatitis program, NCDC branches, etc. Funding totaling Rs 8.65 crore was allocated from FY 2017-18 to FY 2019-20, with Rs. 3.41 crore allocated for FY 2020-21. The programme is now approved for FY 2021–26 as Scheme D under the NCDC umbrella scheme.
Recent Related News:
i.Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, MoHFW inaugurated new facilities at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, Karnataka and launched the new logo of Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS).
ii.Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) launched a new standardised Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children (Protocol) during a national event ‘Suposhit Bharat – Sashakt Bharat’. It has been jointly prepared by the MoWCD and MoHFW.
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW):
Union Minister– Mansukh Mandaviya (Rajya Sabha Gujarat)
Minister of State– Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar (Constituency- Dindori, Maharashtra) & S. P. Singh Baghel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh)
