On October 25, 2023, the Relief Commissioner Office organized a ‘Brainstorming Workshop on Snakebites’ at Hotel Marriott- Lucknow. The Snakebite Reduction Program aimed to provide doctors and disaster specialists from Sonbhadra, Barabanki, and Ghazipur districts with critical skills and expertise.
The workshop, held in the presence of the Relief Commissioner and the Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue and Secretary of Health N.H.M. Uttar Pradesh, brought together the State Program Manager of Jhpiego Office, along with representatives from other important organizations.
Through the program, medical specialists provided detailed information about snakebites and the species of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous. The virtual medium also facilitated the participation of experts such as Colonel K.P. Singh from NDMA Delhi, Padmashri-honored Dr. Himmat Sulabh Bavaskar, Dr. Dayal Bandhu, a snakebite specialist, Dr. Rahul Gajbhiye from ICMR, and Dr. Sudha Chandrashekhar, among other senior officials and medical specialists.
During the workshop, essential information about awareness up to the block, village, and panchayat levels was shared by these experts. As part of snakebite prevention, a pilot batch is being initiated in three districts – Sonbhadra, Ghazipur, and Barabanki.
Health officers from these districts, along with disaster management specialists, ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife), ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), nurses, community health officers, and other crucial individuals were provided with necessary information by the experts for the mitigation of snakebites.
The workshop stands as a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by snakebites and ensuring the safety and well-being of the communities in Uttar Pradesh.