Spike in snakebite cases at GMCH as monsoon sets in
Between January and mid-July 2025, 179 snakebite cases were treated at the hospital, with a notable surge observed in June and July.
According to the official data provided by GMCH, snakebite cases remained relatively low from January to April, with a monthly range of 7 to 19 cases. However, the number of cases began climbing rapidly from May, with 37 cases recorded, peaking in June with 53, followed by 36 more cases reported in just the first 16 days of July, indicating a continuing trend.
Dr Avinash Gawande, medical superintendent of GMCH, Nagpur, confirmed the seasonal rise. "There is a clear link between the arrival of the monsoon and spike in snakebite incidents. Tall grasses, waterlogging, and human activity in farm areas and outskirts create more encounters with snakes. GMCH has adequate stock of anti-venom and emergency protocols in place," he said.
Snake experts pointed out that monsoon drives snakes out of their underground shelters due to flooding and water accumulation.
As a result, they are often spotted in unusual places — from farms and villages to even residential colonies and urban surroundings.
"Snakes don't distinguish between rural and urban boundaries. During rains, they move out in search of dry, safe spaces — often ending up in backyards, basements, toilets, and gardens," said herpetologist Amit Kamble, who works on snake rescue and awareness in Vidarbha region. "Common non-venomous snakes are often mistaken as dangerous, leading to panic or unnecessary killing.
However, the bigger danger comes from venomous species like the Russell's viper, cobra, and krait, all found in this region," he added.
Health authorities urged people not to panic but to stay alert and take simple preventive measures, especially during this season. "Early treatment is critical. Even if the bite appears minor, victims should seek medical help immediately," said Dr Gawande.
The GMCH, being a tertiary care centre, continues to serve as a major referral hospital for snakebite cases across Nagpur and surrounding districts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
GMCH, AIIMS-N Set Benchmarks In Organ Donation & Transplant, Win National Awards
Nagpur: The city has emerged as a national beacon in the field of organ donation and transplantation, with the Government Medical College & Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur, and AIIMS-Nagpur receiving prestigious awards at the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) organized in New Delhi on Saturday. GMCH was conferred the 'Best Brain Stem Death Certifying Team' award while AIIMS-Nagpur bagged the 'Emerging Govt Institution in Organ Donation and Transplantation' award. The awards, presented by Union health minister JP Nadda at the event organised by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, mark a significant milestone in Vidarbha's growing leadership in public healthcare and transplant services. On behalf of GMCH, medical superintendent Dr Avinash Gawande received the award that recognizes exemplary work in facilitating organ donation through accurate and ethical certification procedures. Over the past year, GMCH facilitated 11 cadaveric organ donations, resulting in the retrieval of 21 kidneys, 10 livers, and 18 corneas. The hospital has so far performed 90 kidney transplants, including India's first robotic kidney transplant in a govt hospital conducted on July 20, 2025. AIIMS-Nagpur was honoured for its rapid and impactful entry into the organ transplantation space. Since initiating its transplant programme in December 2022, AIIMS-Nagpur recorded 22 deceased organ donations, including 18 brain stem deaths (BSD) and 4 Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) cases. Notably, AIIMS-Nagpur became the first AIIMS in the country and only the third medical institution in India to successfully perform a DCD-based organ transplant, setting a precedent for other govt institutions. Speaking on the national recognition for GMCH, Dr Gawande said, "This reflects the commitment of our entire team to provide ethical, advanced, and life-saving care through organ transplantation." Dr PP Joshi, executive director of AIIMS-Nagpur, stressed that this is just the beginning. "AIIMS-Nagpur is committed to making a long-term impact in this field. We aim to create a model that blends clinical excellence with compassion and public awareness," he said. GMCH dean Dr Raj Gajbhiye announced that the Superspeciality Hospital (SSH) is ready to handle all kinds of organ transplants. "The heart transplant is expected to begin within two months. We are technically and medically ready for kidney and liver transplants, and heart transplant capability is on the immediate horizon," he said. # MAJOR PUSH FOR ORGAN DONATION — GMCH-Nagpur Award: Best Brain Stem Death Certifying Team Brain Stem Death Donations (last 1 year): 11 Organs Retrieved: Kidneys 21; Livers 10; Corneas 18 Total Kidney Transplants Performed: 90 — AIIMS-Nagpur Award: Emerging Govt Institution in Organ Donation and Transplantation Total Kidney Transplants: 46: Live Donor: 14; Deceased Donor: 32 Total Deceased Donors: 22 Bone Marrow Transplants: 11 Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Back-to-Back Snake Sightings Trigger Panic at GMCH
Nagpur: Two back-to-back snake sightings within an hour caused panic at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Saturday. The reptiles were spotted in separate wards. The first incident took place around 2pm in the paying ward, where a 2-foot-long non-venomous Pandedivad snake was seen slithering inside. Just an hour later, a second snake—believed to be of the same species and measuring about 3 feet—was found in Ward No. 5, a paediatric ward. The sighting sparked fear among patients, visitors, and hospital staff, especially due to the presence of children. Wildlife Welfare Society members Nitish Bhandakkar and Nikhil Jamnik safely rescued both snakes, which were later released back into their natural habitat. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Over half of lung cancer patients in Nagpur are non-smokers: GMCH study
1 2 Nagpur: In a shocking revelation on Lung Cancer Day (August 1), doctors at the respiratory medicine department of the Super Specialty Hospital attached to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Nagpur reported that more than half of their lung cancer patients never smoked. A study of 150 patients conducted by the department found that 52% were non-smokers, pointing to air pollution and environmental exposure as major new culprits behind this deadly disease. "It is a serious misconception that only smokers get lung cancer. Our study showed that over half of the patients never smoked in their life, yet developed this deadly disease. Pollution and other environmental toxins are silently damaging healthy lungs," said Dr Sushant Meshram, head of the respiratory medicine department. The hospital recorded 440 lung cancer cases in the last four years, many of them reaching doctors only at stage 4 or 5, when treatment becomes more difficult and survival chances drop significantly. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Cancer Registry Programme, lung cancer is among the top five cancers in India and causes a higher number of deaths than most other cancers. While smoking remains a major risk, the GMCH study shows that pollution and environmental toxins now pose an equal, if not greater, threat. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Skip the Debt Trap: These Degrees Actually Pay Off Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola The study also found that 45% of patients were smokers, 52% were non-smokers, 78% were aged over 50, and 13% were under 40. "This isn't just a disease of smokers or the elderly anymore. Even younger people and non-smokers are at real risk," Dr Meshram warned. "While chemotherapy remains important, advanced therapies like targeted therapy and immunotherapy are improving outcomes in many cases," added Dr Kapil Raut, consultant medical oncologist. Doctors have stressed the need for early screening, strict pollution control, and increased public awareness to tackle this silent health crisis. BOX Lung Cancer Key Facts: GMCH Nagpur Study - 440 lung cancer cases in 4 years at GMCH - 52% non-smokers among 150 patients studied - 45% had a history of smoking - 78% were aged 50 and above - 13% were aged under 40 - Air pollution now a major cause, not just smoking
