The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Centre, States, and Union Territories to a public interest litigation (PIL) addressing the growing issue of snakebite deaths in India [Shailendra Mani Tripathi v. Union of India and Others].
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan issued notice on the PIL, which was filed by an advocate seeking judicial intervention to enhance healthcare facilities and public awareness surrounding snakebites. The petition highlighted that snakebite envenomation (SBE) is a serious public health risk, affecting around 1.8 to 2.7 million people worldwide and causing an estimated 138,000 deaths annually. India alone contributes to around 58,000 deaths each year, most of them in rural areas.
The petition further raised concerns about the acute shortage of anti-venom (poly-venom) medicine essential for treating snakebites. Despite the high number of fatalities, poly-venom is often not available in rural hospitals and health centres, leading to delayed treatments. In many instances, victims of snakebites resort to traditional remedies or local healers due to the lack of timely medical intervention.
The petitioner also referenced the personal experience of his mother, who was bitten by a snake in 2019 and continues to suffer from the consequences, underscoring the urgent need for reforms in snakebite treatment and care.
The PIL sought the following measures:
- Improved Access to Medical Treatment: Ensuring that poly-venom and other necessary snakebite treatments are available at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), district hospitals, and government medical colleges nationwide.
- Public Awareness and Prevention: Launching a national health mission and public awareness campaign to reduce snakebite mortality, especially in rural areas where most deaths occur.
- Establishing Specialized Treatment Units: Setting up specialized snakebite treatment and care units at district hospitals and medical colleges, with staff trained to handle snakebite cases.
The petition, filed through advocate Chand Qureshi, calls for systemic changes to address the widespread issue of snakebite deaths and inadequate medical response, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
