Mysuru first in Karnataka to have trained all health officers to handle snakebite cases

Mysuru (Karnataka) Jul 24 (PTI) Mysuru has become the first district in Karnataka to have trained all its Community Health Officers (CHO) as first responders on snakebite avoidance and management.
    The training, organised by Mysuru District's Surveillance Unit and Health and Family Welfare Office, marks a significant milestone in addressing one of the most neglected public health concerns in Karnataka. It was held from May 14 to July 23.
    The district administration had collaborated with Humane World for Animals India (formerly called Humane Society International India) and The Liana Trust, formed to enable community-led reptile conservation and education in rural India, to train all the CHOs working in Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) as first responders to snakebite, including preparedness and first aid.
    "This training I believe is very important, as it also creates awareness among the public regarding snakebites and thereby reducing the mortality and morbidity significantly and also avoiding snake persecution and thus ensuring ecological balance," District Surveillance Officer, Dr Nagaraj D G is quoted as saying in a release issued by Humane World for Animals India on Thursday.
    According to the release, there are an estimated 58,000 human deaths from venomous snakebites in India every year, and up to 2 lakh cases of life-debilitating morbidity.
    Sumanth Bindumadhav, Director, Wildlife Protection at Humane World for Animals India, said: "Snakebites can be prevented, human lives can be saved and snake persecution can be avoided if community members have the right information."
    He said the CHOs are an institutional outreach infrastructure who can be powerful forces of good with the right information and knowledge. "We are extremely grateful to the DSO Mysuru for taking this proactive step," he added.
    According to Gerry Martin, founder and trustee of The Liana Trust, human behavioural change needs reinforcement of the right messaging from reliable sources.
    "CHOs are hence a great vehicle for change. While research continues at a steady pace on developing the next generation of therapies and improving existing ones, the role of community education in preventing bites and deaths is equally, if not more, important," he added.
    Over the course of five days, 280 CHOs from all seven taluks learned more about snakes, including non-venomous snakes, recognising likely snakebite scenarios and prevention strategies, including dos and don'ts in cases of a bite, stated the release.
    The health officers were also taught the importance of promoting coexistence with snakes in rural settings, and the socio-economic and psychological impact of snakebites on individuals and families, the release added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)