The Supreme Court Notifies A PIL Concerning Snake Bites In India
Last Updated on December 15, 2024 by Arti Kumari
In order to preserve lives, the Supreme Court on Friday requested answers from the federal government, the states, and the union territories on a petition calling for better snakebite treatment facilities and anti-venom supplies to be made available at health centers, hospitals, and medical schools nationwide. Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi’s plea was accepted by the bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, who also sent notifications to all parties involved. The Bench mandated, “Issue notice, returnable in four weeks.”
AoR Chand Qureshi’s Public Interest Litigation (PIL) draws attention to a serious public health issue in India: a significant lack of anti-venom, which is necessary to cure snakebites. The petition noted that India had the largest number of snakebite deaths worldwide, with almost 58,000 deaths every year. Despite the startling death rate, anti-venom is severely scarce in rural regions, which frequently results in fatal treatment delays.
“With about 58,000 snakebite deaths annually, India has the highest rate of snakebite mortality worldwide. There is a shortage of anti-venom (poly-venom) notwithstanding this high death rate. In rural areas, where snakebites are most common, polyvenom does not reach hospitals and healthcare facilities. Insufficient antivenom supplies in many rural locations cause treatment delays for sufferers, who may instead seek solace in local healers or traditional medicines, according to the PIL. In order to lower snakebite mortality, especially in rural areas, the petitioner has asked for guidance on how to start a national Snakebite Prevention Health Mission and run public awareness programs. The petition also calls for the creation of snakebite treatment and care centers in government district hospitals and medical schools, manned by medical professionals with specialized training who follow accepted medical protocols.
The following is what the petition asks for:
1. To provide treatment for snakebite and polyvenom (anti-venom) at district hospitals, community health centers, and primary health centers in addition to the nation’s government medical colleges and hospitals in order to save lives.
2. To implement a health mission and public awareness campaign to avoid snake bites in order to lower the high death rate, particularly in rural India.
3. The establishment of a snake bite treatment and care unit in government district hospitals and government medical colleges, accompanied by professionally trained physicians in accordance with accepted medical standards.
Case Title : Shailendra Mani Tripathi Vs. Union of India
Citation No. – 48030/2024
