Government launched National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Government launched National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE)

Posted 16 Mar 2024

Updated 27 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • Launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NAP-SE aims at systematic reduction of snakebite envenoming risk through sustained availability of anti-snake venom, capacity building, referral mechanism and public education.
    • Its vision is to reduce snakebite deaths and disability cases by halve by 2030, through ‘One Health’ approach.
      • One Health is an integrated approach to sustainably balance and optimize health of people, animals and ecosystems.
    • It envisages step-wise approach for states/ union territories to develop their own action plan as per their needs.

 

  • Key strategic actions identified by NAP-SE for 
    • Human health component: Ensuring provision of anti-snake venom at all health facilities, strengthening surveillance of snakebite cases, institutionalization of Regional Venom Centre’s etc.
    • Wildlife health component: Education awareness, systematic research and monitoring, snake venom collection and snake relocation etc.
    • Animal and agriculture component: Prevention of snakebites in livestock, community engagement, production and use of Anti-Venom etc.

 

  • Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease caused by bite of venomous snake. 
    • In India, around 90% of snakebites are caused by 'big four' among crawlers - Common Krait, Indian Cobra (spectacled cobra), Russell's Viper and Saw Scaled Viper.

 

Initiatives taken to control Snakebite Envenoming

  • Global
    • In 2019, World Health Organisation (WHO) launched Global strategy for prevention and control of snakebite envenoming to reduce 50% death from snakebites by 2030.
    • WHO developed Regional Action Plan for prevention and control of snakebite envenoming in South-East Asia 2022–2030.
  • India:
    • Snakebite Helpline number (15400) provides assistance to individuals/communities affected by snakebite incidents will be piloted in five States (Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi).
  • Tags :
  • Snakebite Envenoming
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