With the onset of monsoon, resident of Ranchi and adjacent areas face the fear of snake bites, which cause several deaths every year in the region. Adding to the agony of the victims, there is no proper health care facility at the renowned institutions in the State. At one hand snake bites cases increase during the rainy season and on the other there is shortage of anti venom serum (AVS) — the only medicine for snake bites — at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
“The serum is not affordable for poor people as it is little expensive. There is shortage in supply in comparison to requirement. Such cases increase in rainy season and large number of people lose their lives every year because of the shortfall in the supply of AVS,” said a doctor from RIMS requesting anonymity. Further, he said that on average 45 vials of the AVS are required but RIMS is getting only 5-6 vials of AVS.
Another doctor said, “There are two types of snake bites affected people neurotoxic and Vasculotoxic. Eurotoxin causes Ptosis, respiratory problems, speaking problems, dysphagia, muscular problems, and weakness. Vasculotoxic cause kidney failure, low blood pressure.” Further, he also said that there was a shortage of AVS at RIMS. He said that when there is shortage of AVS patients has to buy medicines from outside.
Whereas a nursing staff taking care in the emergency ward supported the view of doctors and also said there is shortage of AVS in RIMS and when a patient needs 20 vials of medicine they are provided with just 5 vials from hospital rest they have to buy.
According to officials of Sadar hospital, there was less number of cases of snake bites in the district.
According to their data in April only two cases were reported but in May any case is not there for June data was not ready.
Director and Medical Superintendent of RIMS were not available to comment on the issue.