Rising Snakebite Fatalities in Odisha: A Call for Urgent Action and Better Coordination
Increasing Snakebite Incidents in Keonjhar
In Keonjhar, the rainy season has seen a surge in snakebite incidents, leading to numerous fatalities. While snakebites occur year-round, many victims die due to delays in receiving medical care, the absence of anti-venom, or reliance on unqualified healers.
Despite government efforts to raise awareness, snakebite mortality rates remain alarmingly high. Experts suggest that improved education on first aid, prompt medical intervention, and better access to anti-venom could significantly lower the death toll. However, discrepancies in official death statistics have emerged, with data collected from various departments including Health, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), and Revenue.
Concerns about the lack of coordination among these authorities have resulted in conflicting statistics and disputes regarding compensation. During a recent workshop hosted by the Forest department in Keonjhar, volunteers from the Odisha Snake Helpline expressed their worries about the inconsistencies in data and called for an investigation.
They highlighted discrepancies between figures from different departments, noting that the SRC's Annual Report on Natural Calamities for 2023-24 indicated 75 snakebite fatalities in Keonjhar, with 57 families receiving compensation. In contrast, the Revenue minister's report claimed 77 deaths and 62 compensation cases for the same timeframe.
Statewide, the Revenue minister's report showed 134 more deaths and higher compensation amounts than those reported by the SRC for 2023-24. According to the volunteers, the SRC reported Rs 29.20 crore in compensation disbursed, while the Revenue minister's figures cited Rs 40.88 crore, revealing a discrepancy of Rs 11.68 crore. One volunteer emphasized the need for thorough verification of these figures, especially since they are sourced from government revenue.
The revelations during the Keonjhar workshop surprised officials from various departments, including those involved in snake rescue efforts. They cautioned that without proper coordination, there is a risk of fraudulent compensation claims, as has been seen in other states.
The inconsistencies in the 2023-24 data have raised doubts about the reliability of the legislative data for 2024-25 presented in the Assembly. Keonjhar's Chief District Medical Officer, BB Mishra, stated that anti-venom is administered to patients, and those in critical condition are referred to larger hospitals. He noted that if a patient dies, the details are recorded.
Additional District Magistrate (Revenue) Rabindra Kumar Pradhan mentioned that a study is needed to investigate the reasons behind the discrepancies in death counts across departments. Currently, the state provides Rs 4 lakh in compensation for snakebite fatalities, a figure that is now under scrutiny.
Given that snakes are classified as wild animals, the Snake Helpline advocates for compensation to be equivalent to that for deaths caused by other wild animals, which is Rs 10 lakh. Volunteers have also urged the government to ensure that the first four days of treatment for snakebite victims are free, even in private hospitals.
While government hospitals do provide free treatment, the importance of ICU care for improving survival rates cannot be overstated. "Investing Rs 50,000 in ICU care could save a life and prevent the need for Rs 4 lakh in compensation," they argued, emphasizing the economic and moral implications.
Dr. Sudipta Ranjan Singh, a Professor of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, pointed out the medical challenges in treating snakebite victims. "Many fatalities occur during transportation within the referral system, and victims often miss treatment during the critical golden hour," he explained.
"Neurotoxic envenomation, primarily from cobras, can lead to rapid death. Victims seldom reach tertiary healthcare facilities in time. Mechanical ventilation is often necessary for cobra and krait bites, and only timely admission to ICUs with ventilator support can save lives. Any delay jeopardizes survival," he added.