Deaths caused by snakebites a ‘notifiable disease’ says Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar
The Maharashtra government has declared snakebite deaths a 'notifiable disease' to improve data collection and treatment protocols. Hospitals and medical practitioners are now required to report all snakebite cases to health authorities to facilitate better resource allocation.
Why it matters
A significant public health policy shift aimed at reducing mortality rates through better monitoring and anti-venom distribution.
Maharashtra Public Health Department announced that deaths caused by snakebites are a ‘notifiable disease’. Under the notification, government and private hospitals, medical colleges and medical practitioners will be required to report every suspected, probable or confirmed snakebite case, as well as deaths caused by snakebite, to the concerned health authorities.
“This decision will enable effective monitoring of snakebite incidents, timely treatment and planning for the availability of Anti-Snake Venom Vaccine (ASV),” said State Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar.
Mr. Abitkar has instructed health institutions in the State to report every suspected, probable or confirmed case of snakebite observed or under treatment to the concerned District Health Officer or District Surgeon. This information will be recorded in the Health Management Information System (HMIS/DHIS-2), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) or other reporting system specified by the government to collect reliable data on snakebite incidents in the State.
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