District Health Officer urges people not to resort to unproven practices
District Health Officer S.M. Honakeri has urged people to rush snakebite victims to hospitals and not to resort to unproven practices like treatment by tantriks and home remedies.
He was speaking at an International Snakebite Awareness Day programme organised in Dharwad on Sunday.
"Some of the common mistakes people make during snakebite incidents can be life-threatening. At times, people use home remedies or prefer to get treated by tantriks. Such practices should be avoided. Snakebites should be treated scientifically. The victim must be immediately taken to a hospital," he added.
"All other practices like the victims or his care givers should tie the area around the wound, stop the blood flow to other parts of the body from the affected area, sucking out the venom or resorting to mantras and rituals are not safe," he said.
"According to World Health Organisation reports, every year around 54 lakh people worldwide are bitten by snakes. More than 80,000 lose their lives and many survivors face lifelong challenges," he said.
Resource person Kiran Kulkarni said that the first step after a snakebite is to reassure the victim and see that he or she does not panic.
"Those near the victim should minimise the movement of his or her body, loosely bandage the bite area with a clean cloth and immediately take the patient to the nearest hospital. Most importantly, superstitions about snakes must be eradicated. Resorting to magical rituals or taking the victim to religious places is of no use. The only effective treatment for snakebite is administering anti-venom. If administered at the right time, life can be saved. Therefore, everyone must stay alert, abandon blind beliefs and seek proper medical treatment," Dr. Kulkarni said.
"People should make use of the treatment available in government hospitals. Students must take full advantage of the information given by doctors on precautionary measures to be taken in case of snakebite," G.K. Badiger said.