The Gujarat government is set to introduce an anti-venom made exclusively from snakes found within the state to decrease snakebite fatalities. This initiative, led by the Snake Research Institute (SRI) in Valsad district, aims to enhance treatment effectiveness and lower mortality rates. The SRI currently houses around 460 poisonous snakes from various regions of Gujarat.
Venom extracted from these snakes adheres to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, undergoes modern processing techniques, and is converted into powder. This powdered venom is then sold to licensed anti-venom manufacturers through auctions. The state government will procure these anti-venom products for distribution to hospitals statewide for snakebite treatment.
D.C. Patel, Vice-Chairman of the Snake Research Centre and a general surgeon, emphasized the importance of using local venom for more efficient treatment. He highlighted that the variation in venom by region poses a challenge in treating snakebites, making locally sourced anti-venom more effective. Patel, with a success rate of over 98% in treating snakebite patients, stressed the high quality of venom obtained from the institute.
The SRI recently conducted an e-auction of venom from major poisonous snake species found in Gujarat, including the Indian Cobra and Russell’s Viper. Licensed anti-venom manufacturers participated, with prices exceeding expectations due to the high quality of the venom. Plans are in place to develop the SRI into a top-tier facility, with a proposed budget of Rs 11.68 crore submitted to the Gujarat government for this purpose.
