Guwahati: Demow Model Hospital in Assam’s Sivasagar district hit a major milestone on August 7. Medical staff treated their 4,000th snakebite patient. Only one person has died since the program started in 2020. This success shows how fast intervention and constant monitoring save lives in rural communities.
About 13 per cent of these cases involved venomous bites. Most patients, roughly 96 per cent, come from financially distressed backgrounds. Doctors track patients for at least 24 hours to spot complications early. Most victims now reach the hospital within an hour of a bite.
The facility referred only four patients to private hospitals for specialized care. All four suffered krait bites that required mechanical ventilators, equipment the government hospital lacks. This referral system bridges gaps in critical care.
Staff report that locals increasingly choose medical help over traditional remedies. Despite this, doctors warn that current polyvalent anti-snake venom is not always effective against every dangerous species in the region. Dr. Surajit Giri, an anaesthesiologist and member of the National Technical Advisory Committee, stated that the project is vital for the vulnerable. "The fight against snakebite is ultimately about protecting lives, particularly among communities with limited financial and social resources," said Giri.
Comments