Need for ASV in Hospitals

COMMUNICATION

It is a matter of great concern that the shortage of anti-snake venom (ASV) in government hospitals is endangering the life of snake-bite victims. This medicine is supposed to be available free to snake-bite victims (most of whom are poor) in government hospitals, but when this life-saving medicine is simply not available, snake-bite victims are pushed into a helpless situation. Many deaths are caused due to this.

At the time of the arrival of the monsoon hospitals should have adequate stocks of ASV to cope with the rush of snake-bite victims in the rainy season. However, the present shortage of ASV in hospitals will cause huge problems for snake-bite victims and their families.

Therefore the government should take immediate steps to end this shortage of ASV in its hospitals. Also urgent questions need to be raised as to how high profit orientation has emerged in the context of this life-saving medicine and why production of ASV at some public-sector units was stopped for some time.

Bharat Dogra
C-27 Raksha Kunj,
Paschim Vihar,
New Delhi-110063
Tel: 011-25255303