Supreme Court Calls for Unified Effort to Combat Snakebite Deaths, Improve Treatment Access
In a significant move to address India’s alarming snakebite mortality rate, the Supreme Court has directed the Union of India (UOI) to coordinate with all state governments and implement nationwide measures to ensure the availability of anti-venom and standardized treatment protocols. Highlighting the urgency of this public health crisis, the Bench of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice S.V.N. Bhatti stressed,
It’s a problem throughout the country. Have a meeting with all the states and try to do something. It is not an adversarial litigation.”
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Nationwide Collaboration to Save Lives
During the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi, the Court emphasized the need for collective action. The Centre’s counsel assured compliance, stating, “We will do it,” and confirmed plans to involve state governments while submitting a counter-affidavit. The Bench granted states six weeks to file their responses, scheduling the next hearing afterward.
India’s Snakebite Crisis
The PIL, represented by AoR Chand Qureshi, reveals staggering statistics: India accounts for 58,000 snakebite deaths annually, the highest globally. Despite this, rural healthcare centers—where bites are most common—face severe anti-venom shortages. Delays in treatment often force victims to rely on ineffective traditional remedies, worsening outcomes.
“Poly-venom do not reach rural hospitals… Many rural areas lack adequate stocks, leading to delays in treatment,” the petition states. It underscores the uneven distribution of life-saving resources, with urban centers better equipped than remote villages.
Key Demands of the PIL
The petition seeks urgent interventions to reduce preventable deaths:
- Universal Access to Anti-Venom: Ensure anti-venom availability at primary health centers, district hospitals, and medical colleges.
- National Health Mission: Launch a dedicated Snakebite Prevention Health Mission and awareness campaigns to educate rural communities.
- Specialized Treatment Units: Establish snakebite care units in government hospitals staffed by trained doctors following standardized protocols.
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Court’s Push for Systemic Change
The Bench’s intervention signals a shift from bureaucratic delays to proactive governance. During a previous hearing on December 13, the Court had issued notices to all stakeholders, recognizing the issue’s nationwide scale. The recent directive reinforces the need for inter-state collaboration, with the Centre tasked to lead the initiative.
Snakebites disproportionately affect farmers, laborers, and children in rural India. Limited healthcare infrastructure, coupled with myths surrounding first aid, exacerbates fatalities. For instance, practices like tying tourniquets or sucking venom often cause more harm. The PIL’s emphasis on awareness campaigns aims to replace misinformation with evidence-based responses.
While the Centre and states prepare their action plans, the Court’s stance highlights accountability and urgency. As Justice Gavai noted, resolving this crisis requires “taking states on board”—a recognition that fragmented efforts will fail. Proposed solutions like the Snakebite Health Mission could mirror past successful initiatives, such as polio eradication, by combining resource allocation with community engagement.
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“India’s snakebite mortality reflects a systemic failure. Immediate steps—from stocking anti-venom to training doctors—are non-negotiable to save lives.”
The Supreme Court’s directive marks a critical step toward mitigating one of India’s most neglected public health challenges. By prioritizing collaboration, awareness, and infrastructure upgrades, the ruling could prevent thousands of deaths annually. For now, all eyes remain on the Centre and states to translate judicial orders into actionable change.
Cause Title: Shailendra Mani Tripathi v. Union of India [Diary No. 48030/2024]
