2 days ago
‘We thought we would lose him': Nashik boy recovers from snakebite, father thanks doctors for quick response
Suhas Sonawane's heart skipped a beat when his son Om, 16, screamed that a snake had bitten him on the afternoon of August 10. Without wasting a moment, this farmer from the Deogaon village in the Niphad tehsil of Nashik took him to a primary health centre. Fortunately, the doctor on duty had recently undergone a state-level training in handling snakebite emergencies and immediately followed the standard protocol.
Three vials of anti-snake venom (ASV) were administered on the spot. Under the guidance of Dr Sadanand Raut, an expert on snakebite treatment, the PHC's medical officer, Dr Mayur Barpande, ensured that Om received an additional dose while being transported by ambulance to the sub-district hospital at Niphad.
To ensure there were no complications during the night, the boy was transferred to the Civil Hospital in Nashik for further observation. Thanks to the prompt and effective intervention at the PHC, his condition stabilised, and Om did not need ventilator support.
'I was terrified. My son had developed a rash and was crying in intense pain. But the quick response and incredible care from Dr Barpande, guided by Dr Raut, have helped in a faster recovery,' the father said.
In another instance in July, Suresh Ichake, 36, from the Kavathe village in the Shirur tehsil of Pune, suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest after being bitten by a venomous cobra at his farm. His brother Sharad had heard of a similar snakebite case from the same village and recalled that the family had taken the victims to Vighnahar Hospital in Narayangaon.
'The villager had recovered, and I decided to take my brother to the hospital,' he said.
Dr Raut, who runs Vighnahar Hospital, has saved over 12,000 lives in the last two decades as part of the Mission Zero initiative to eliminate snakebite deaths. He recalled that his team initiated CPR, inserted a breathing tube, and began artificial respiration in their efforts to save Ichake's life.
'Antivenom and emergency medication were administered. Ichake regained consciousness three days after the incident, underwent two surgeries and a skin graft. Not only was his hand saved, but he regained full finger movement,' said Dr Raut, who is also a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s roster of snakebite experts.
Recently, the model rural health unit in Vani in the Nashik district, collaborated with the state public health department to train over 450 medical officers from the Nashik and Nandurbar districts. This training was conducted as part of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming, with sessions led by Dr Raut.
Dr Sunita Golhait, Joint Director of Health (Hospitals), said 14,815 snakebite cases and 70 snakebite deaths were reported from January to June across Maharashtra this year. The figures for the corresponding period last year were 13,613 cases and 66 deaths.
'We have directed each district to prepare a snakebite action plan. The CEO of each zilla parishad will coordinate the activities and prepare an action plan to create awareness about poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, the role of primary level prevention and care,' Dr Golhait said.
