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Time of India

GMCH saves all snakebite patients this year; timely treatment and anti-venom crucial

1 2 Nagpur: As Maharashtra gears up to celebrate Nag Panchami on Tuesday — a festival deeply rooted in reverence for snakes and Lord Shiva — the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH)-Nagpur has shared a positive update: all 179 snakebite victims treated at the hospital this year survived, thanks to timely medical intervention and effective anti-venom therapy. "Every single snakebite case brought to GMCH from January to July this year was successfully treated," said Dr Avinash Gawande, medical superintendent, GMCH, and added, "This highlights that snakebites are fully treatable if the victim is brought to a hospital on time. We have the necessary anti-venom stock and trained staff ready round the clock." "People think snakes are only found in forests or villages, but during monsoon, they can be spotted in cities — in gardens, bathrooms, storerooms, even schools," said Vanita Borade, India's first woman snake conservator, who recently conducted a snake awareness workshop in Buldhana ahead of Nag Panchami. Speaking at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Auditorium of Zilla Parishad Buldhana, Borade stressed that while people worship snakes as divine beings on Nag Panchami, the same respect must extend beyond rituals. "Killing snakes is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act. Instead of panic reaction, we need scientific understanding and awareness. We should be celebrating snakes, not just on Nag Panchami, but every day by conserving biodiversity and preventing both snake and human deaths," she said. The workshop, organised by the district administration, included live demonstrations on identifying venomous vs non-venomous snakes, bite prevention, and first aid. Officials and employees of the Zilla Parishad attended the seminar and echoed the importance of such sessions in busting myths and promoting coexistence. "The message that 'environment is life' and that snakes deserve protection was loud and clear," said ZP CEO Gulabrao Khirat, who organised the coordination meeting and workshop. Significance of Nag Panchami First major festival in the Hindu calendar's festive season Dedicated to the worship of snakes, especially cobras, which are considered sacred People are advised to worship symbolic images or drawings of snakes, not live snakes Snakes do not drink milk — it's a myth: milk can actually harm snakes The deeper message of Nag Panchami is snake conservation and harmony with nature Killing snakes is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act