UTTAR PRADESH SNAKEBITE INITIATIVE

ABOUT US

Office of Relief Commissioner

The Office of Relief Commissioner serves as the nodal agency for comprehensive disaster management in the state, overseeing response, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts for both natural and human-induced disasters.

We are committed to building a safe and disaster-resilient Uttar Pradesh through proactive, multi-disaster strategies and technology-driven solutions, with special focus on vulnerable communities.

Our Key Objectives

Strengthening institutional structures for effective disaster management

Implementing measures to reduce impact of natural and man-made disasters

Ensuring prompt rescue operations and transparent relief distribution

Fostering a culture of prevention and preparedness through collaborative governance

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Snakebite remains a significant concern in the state of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the regions surrounded by fields, jungles and forests combined with poor health care facilities. Recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, the pilot project aims to implement innovative strategies for prevention, treatment, and community education. The pilot project aimed at improving snakebite management and awareness executed in three districts of Uttar Pradesh: Barabanki, Sonbhadra, and Ghazipur. The project included comprehensive training programs for various healthcare personnel and community based activities to enhance awareness and preparedness, with respect to the snakebite cases.

BACKGROUND

Snakebite is predominant occurrence is seen in rural areas that has significant implications on the nutrition and economy of the countries. It is largely an occupational disease of food producers such as farmers, plantation workers, herdsmen, and anglers, and of wild life park rangers, military personnel, snake restaurant workers, snake handlers and collectors of snake skins. Every year worldwide, snakebite envenomation leads to more than 100,000 deaths and causes permanent disability or disfigurement in about 400,000 cases. South Asia is the most affected Region due to snakebite envenomation and India contributes to 50 per cent of the estimated deaths due to venomous snakebites globally. In India, up to 64,100 of the 78,600 snakebite deaths have been reported in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Uttar Pradesh reports the highest number of snakebite deaths due to its geographic location and climate, which are conducive to snake habitation. The Effects of Snakebites on Individuals can lead to shock, paralysis, hemorrhage, acute kidney injury, and severe local tissue destruction, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and fear of snakes and financial hardships due to medical expenses and loss of income during recovery. The detailed consideration of community education is clear that is a most powerful preventive tool and essential component in any campaign to address the public health challenge posed by snakebite. The Health system strengthening, education and training is an important method to readily manage the medical emergency demanding urgent attention by adequately trained medical staff. The management of Snakebite including first aid kits, availability of antivenom (species-specific hyperimmune immunoglobulin), a lifesaving, WHO-recognized, essential medicine, is the only effective antidote for envenoming. Therefore, a comprehensive strengthening methodology is required in Uttar Pradesh to reduce the mortality and morbidity of Snakebites.

ADDRESSING SNAKEBITE ENVENOMATION

Snakebite envenomation is a significant public health challenge , particularly in regions where agriculture and rural livelihoods are predominant. The diversity of venomous snakes in South Asia, coupled with environmental and occupational factors, contributes to a high incidence of snakebites. India bears a substantial portion of the global burden, with Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest number of snakebite-related deaths. The impact of snakebites on affected individuals and communities extends beyond immediate health concerns, often leading to long- term psychological, social, and economic hardships. Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, the Snakebite Mitigation Project was initiated as a pilot phase in three districts of Uttar Pradesh— Barabanki, Ghazipur, and Sonbhadra.

In conversation with a shopkeeper, it was brought to our knowledge that there were no major symptoms amongst the victims, only headache and nausea. These things only directed towards one thing, that the snakes that were biting, were non-venomous. Their faith in Sati Mayi is so deeply ingrained in them that people travel hundreds of kilometers on poorly built roads with vehicles like bicycles or motorbikes. A disturbing observation was that many villagers choose these temples over visiting nearby hospitals.

OBJECTIVES OF THE OFFICE OF RELIEF COMMISSIONER

To strengthen disaster management in Uttar Pradesh, effective measures are needed to reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters. The state is prone to multiple hazards, including floods, droughts, storms, fires, hailstorms, earthquakes, and lightning. Forty of the 75 districts are flood-prone, with even historically safe areas in western Uttar Pradesh now experiencing floods. The Terai belt is vulnerable to earthquakes as it falls in seismic zone IV, while the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions are drought-prone. Extreme heat, cold waves, lightning, and high winds further exacerbate the state's distress, causing significant annual losses and hindering development.

Amid the significant challenges posed by various disasters, Uttar Pradesh has declared snakebite as a state disaster due to its high fatality rate. This project focuses on prevention, education, and the effective management of snakebite cases, particularly in rural areas. Through targeted interventions and community empowerment, we aim to reduce mortality and enhance disaster resilience across the state.

APPROACH

The initiative is focused on the following key components:

1. State Level Training of Trainers ToT:

Two days State level ToT for Medical Officers, Paramedic staff & Disaster Experts on SBE Management training, to be trained as Master Trainers

2. Training of Trainers (ToT):

One day Training of Emergency Ward Doctors - Community Health Officers (CHOs) Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in a CASCADE MODEL

3. Awareness Generation:

A comprehensive community‐awareness campaign will combine engaging street plays (Nukkad Natak) to capture local attention with strategically placed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials—such as eye‐catching posters displayed in Community Health Centers, District Hospitals, and medical‐college emergency rooms—to reinforce key messages. Frontline health workers (ASHAs) will receive dedicated training booklets that deepen their understanding and equip them to educate families on preventive measures, while concise CPR instruction cards ensure that both health personnel and community members have an accessible, step‐by‐step guide to lifesaving techniques at their fingertips.

4. Provision of Snakebite Kits to the ASHAs & at the Gram Panchayat:

Snakebite First-Aid Kit inclusive of cotton gauze swabs, black permanent marker, nitrile gloves, pressure bandages, wooden splint.
Distribution of Snakebite First-Aid Kits to ASHAs and 2 Kits at each Gram Panchayat for timely intervention in the rural areas.

5. Incentives for ASHAs:

Five Hundred rupees incentive for their efforts in facilitating treatment linkages and 1000 rupees for transportation.