NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF SNAKEBITE ENVENOMING (NAP-SE)

Why in News?                                                                                                        

Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary launched a National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) in India.

What is NAP-SE?

• Vision: “To prevent and control snakebite envenoming in order to halve the numbers of deaths and cases of disability that it causes by 2030”
• Mission: To progressively reduce the morbidity, mortality and its associated complications in humans due to Snake bite The National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) provides a broad framework for management, prevention and control of Snake bite envenoming in India.
• This NAP-SE echoes the global voice of reducing the deaths due to snakebite envenoming by half and envisages all strategic components, roles and responsibilities of concerned stakeholders.
• The NAP-SE is a guidance document for the states / UTs and stakeholders to develop their own action plan, specific to their needs and aims at systematic reduction of snakebite envenoming risk through sustained availability of anti-snake venom, capacity building, referral mechanism and public education
• With a vision to reduce snakebite deaths by halve by 2030, NAPSE provides a broad framework for states to develop their own action plan for management, prevention and control of snakebites through the ‘One Health’ approach.
• The activities envisaged under human, wildlife, tribal and Animal health component will be undertaken by concerned stakeholders at all levels.
• It was informed that a Snakebite Helpline no (15400), a vital resource that provides immediate assistance, guidance, and support to individuals and communities affected by snakebite incidents will be piloted in five States (Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi). This initiative aims to ensure prompt access to medical care and information to general public.

• A National Rabies Control Programme Website was also launched on the occasion. It is a comprehensive online platform dedicated to providing resources, updates, and insights on Rabies. This website will serve as a digital platform for States/UT for entering information related to animal bite and rabies; this will also help the community to assess the nearest Anti Rabies Clinic and Infectious disease hospital for management of animal bite and rabies cases. The website will also help in send the reminder SMS for vaccination follow up.
• The National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses was also onboarded on the Integrated Health Initiative Platform. This initiative will help in strengthening the surveillance of zoonotic diseases in the country.

Back ground of Snakebites-

• In India, around 50,000 deaths occur of an estimated 3-4 million snakebites annually which accounts for half of all snakebite deaths globally.
• Only a small proportion of snake bite victims across countries report to the clinics and hospitals and actual burden of snake bite is grossly underreported.
• In India, around 90% of snakebites are caused by the ‘big four’ among the crawlers – common krait, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper and saw scaled viper.

Administration of polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV) containing antibodies against cobra, Russell’s viper, common krait and saw scaled viper is effective in 80% of the snakebite cases, however, lack of trained human resources and health facilities to treat snakebite patients remains a cause of concern.