A state-level stakeholder consultation on Snakebite Awareness, Response, Prevention and Action (SARPA) on Saturday stressed the need for an integrated approach involving all departments to improve snakebite prevention, treatment and awareness in Himachal Pradesh.
Organised by the National Health Mission (NHM), Himachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) SARPA project, the meeting brought together representatives from the Health, Forest, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Education, Panchayati Raj and Disaster Management departments, along with civil society members and snake rescuers.
The consultation was chaired by Dr Jaideep C Menon, National Principal Investigator of the ICMR-SARPA project, who shared experiences from states implementing the programme and highlighted the medical and social impact of snakebite envenoming.
Deputy Director, NHM, Dr Omesh Bharti, said snakebite was not just a health department issue and required coordinated action by all stakeholders. He presented the draft State Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (SAPSE) for discussion, adding that snakebite being declared a notifiable disease in Himachal would help generate better data for planning.
Experts highlighted delayed treatment, low public awareness, shortage of healthcare staff and the absence of approved guidelines for snake rescue as major challenges. Participants recommended awareness campaigns in schools, Gram Sabha meetings and training programmes for Panchayati Raj representatives and Apda Mitras. All departments agreed to work together to strengthen snakebite mitigation in the state.
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