SC Issues Notice on PIL Seeking Anti-Venom Access and Snakebite Treatment Nationwide
The Supreme Court on Friday December 13, 2024 sought responses from the Central Government, State Governments and Union Territories regarding a petition advocating for improved access to anti-venom and enhanced snakebite treatment facilities across health centres, hospitals, and medical colleges nationwide. A Bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Viswanathan agreed to hear the plea filed by Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi and issued notices to relevant stakeholders, directing them to respond within four weeks. “Issue notice, returnable in four weeks,” the Bench stated.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by AoR Chand Qureshi, highlights a pressing public health issue in India—the severe shortage of anti-venom required for snakebite treatment. The petition draws attention to the alarming figure of 58,000 snakebite-related fatalities annually in India, the highest globally. Despite these statistics, rural areas continue to suffer from inadequate supplies of anti-venom, often resulting in life-threatening delays in treatment.
Quoting from the PIL: “India has the highest rate of snakebite deaths globally, with approximately 58,000 fatalities each year. Despite this much of high mortality rate there is scarcity of anti-venom (poly-venom). Poly-venom do not reach rural hospitals and healthcare centers where snakebites are most prevalent. Many rural areas lack adequate stocks of antivenom, leading to delays in treatment for victims who may turn to traditional remedies or local healers instead."
Key prayers
The petitioner has requested the Court to issue directives for the following measures:
1. Availability of Anti-Venom: Ensure that poly-venom (anti-venom) is made readily available at primary health centres, community health centres, district hospitals, government hospitals, and medical colleges to prevent fatalities.
2. Snakebite Prevention and Awareness Campaigns: Initiate a nationwide Snakebite Prevention Health Mission along with public awareness campaigns, particularly in rural areas, to reduce snakebite-related mortality.
3. Specialized Treatment Units: Establish dedicated snakebite treatment and care units in district hospitals and medical colleges, staffed with specially trained medical professionals following standard treatment protocols.
The PIL underscores the urgent need for these measures, pointing out that rural regions, where snakebites are most prevalent, lack adequate facilities, forcing victims to rely on traditional healers or remedies. Such delays often prove fatal, contributing to the staggering mortality rate.
Cause Title: Shailendra Mani Tripathi v. Union of India
Case No: Writ Petition (Civil) Diary No. 48030/2024
Date: 13-12-2024
Bench: Justice B.R. Gavai , Justice K.V. Viswanathan
[Read/Download order]
