ICMR undertaking snakebite study in two districts of Odisha – Times of India

Bhubaneswar: The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) Bhubaneswar of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has started conducting a study on the incidence, mortality, morbidity and socio-economic burden of snakebite in Odisha. It is a part of the ICMR’s country-wide study on snakebite.
The council is undertaking this first of its kind study covering 13 states including Odisha in five zones. It has chosen Sambalpur from western part and Cuttack from eastern part of the state for the study.
Snakebite comes under neglected tropical diseases (NTD). It is seen that many snakebite cases are coming up in the country, but there is no concrete data and sufficient study on this matter. “Though this study, we can get to know about the whole burden of snakebite in the country. It will give a pan India picture,” said ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar director Sanghamitra Pati.
Another programme of ICMR is underway on ‘Capacity building of medical officers in snakebite diagnosis and management’ in Khurda (non-tribal district) and tribal dominated district Rayagada. This is also a country-wide programme, said the director.
“In this training programme, the medical officers are being taught about the art of managing snakebite cases. They will get to know more about the diagnosis and treatment of snakebite cases,” said Pati.
Official sources said this study will generate real data on snakebite incidence, mortality, morbidity and socio-economic burden of snakebite in the country. It has included all types of geographical regions like hilly, plains, marshy, desert and coastal and there is a plan to cover a population of 6.12 percent.
The study will continue till October 2023. It will assist decision makers in policy framing to prevent and control snakebite in India. The country needs concrete data before framing any policy to diagnose, treat and subsequently check the snakebite cases.
Odisha reports on an average around 900 deaths per year due to snakebite. Thousands of snakebite cases come up every year in India. But many of the victims do not come to hospital for treatment, sources said.