Snake bites: Blind spot in health delivery

SNAKE bites should be taken seriously as they are matter of life and death.

The bites are normally said to be an occupational disease, mostly occurring among rural people. They are typically associated with agricultural work, including fisheries and cattle ranching.

Snake proficient Bown Singano said Manicaland is associated with venomous snakes such as Gabbon Adder Vipper (Bunga mutsakwani or Chimbuzi Mutumba), which is mostly found in Vumba, Nyanga, Chimanimani and Mutare.

The Green Mamba (Danhamakato) is commonly found in Mutare, Nyanga and Chimanimani.

Singano has more than three decades’ experience working with different types of snakes at Snake World. He highlighted that there is need to ensure access to safe, effective and affordable treatment such as anti-venoms and ancillary medical care.

“Improved and strengthened production, supply and distribution of life-saving anti-venoms and other commodities needed to treat snake bites should be prioritised in the country. Some of the antivenom is imported and expensive,” he said. Snake bites can be dry or venomous. Dry bites occur when the snake does not release any venom with its bite. These are not very dangerous and may only cause swelling, tissue damage and itchy skin reactions.

On the other hand, venomous bites are more dangerous as they occur when a snake transmits venom during the bite. If not treated quickly, a venomous bite may result in death. In other cases, snake bites may result in serious injuries, including limb amputations.

Due to this, there is need to increase global access to treatment and anti-venom and make it fundamental for Universal Health Coverage.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that an estimated 5,4 million people are bitten by snakes each year. Annually, about 138 000 die from the snake bites.

In trying to address this, WHO last year launched a global strategy for snake bites prevention and control. Come 2030, the strategy seeks to cut snake bite deaths and disability by 50 percent.

There is need to maintain supply of adequate stocks of anti-venom across the globe. It is also essential to educate communities by debunking myths and promoting health-seeking behaviour. With health priorities focused on HIV, Malaria, TB and Covid-19; snake bites have become a blind spot globally.

It is crucial for countries to strengthen their health systems as proposed by the Sustainable Development Goals.

This could have saved young Sharon Sakara’s leg. When she started her day, the 12-year-old had no idea what lay ahead of her.

As she was fishing at Chinyandura Dam with her friends, a snake bit her and she ended up having her leg amputated.

She narrates her ordeal: “I only felt a prick on my leg and I could not see any snake near me so I continued fishing. However, when l got out of the water, my leg started swelling up. As days went by, my leg started turning green.”

Delays in getting medical treatment worsened her situation. The young girl went for close to two months without getting any medical assistance.

“My leg then turned black and it developed some wounds and maggots. I later went to St Albert’s Hospital and they had to amputate,” said Sakara.

She has had to endure living as an amputee for the past eight years and became innovative in doing her minus one leg. Fortunately, relief was on its way for her. Sakara received a prosthetic leg from Open Heart Disability Care Trust (OHDCT). Now she is back on her feet, literally.

“I am now able to do all my chores and I’m very grateful for the intervention,” she said.

Sakara may have lost a limb but not her footing. She stands firm in acquiring life skills. She is venturing into income generating projects like gardening and poultry.

OHDCT is a Non-Governmental organisation that was established by a couple — Kiverson and Ndakaitei Savah — who are teachers with a desire to make a difference for disabled people in the country.

“We seek to empower people with disabilities so that they participate in their respective communities,” said Ndakaitei.

Kiverson revealed that their organisation is supported by Rotary Australia through Bernard Macleod, an Australian citizen. He added that they are implementing a community based rehabilitation strategy focusing on health, education, social, livelihood and empowerment; all geared towards preventing and reducing the impact of disability.

“We want people with disabilities to do away with the dependency syndrome through engaging in self-sustaining project,” he said.