The EDCD, which is responsible to supply life saving serum to the health centers, said it cannot supply sufficient vials of the serum at the health centers, as over 40,000 vials of the serum are needed for a year.
"We cannot supply sufficient vials of anti snake venom this year as well, as we have limited vials," Dr Baburam Marasaini, director of the EDCD, said. He informed that Logistic Management Division (LMD) of the DOHS had published a tender notice for the prospective suppliers but no one expressed interest to supply the serum.With the onset of summer, snakebite cases have started to appear in theTarai districts and thousands come under attack of venomous snakes during monsoon, which is to begin soon. Despite supplying enough serum vials, over 200 people die from snakebite in Nepal every year. Health workers said that in some cases, up to 70 vials of anti snake venom are needed to treat one patient.
According to Dr Marasaini, most of the snake bite victims generally cannot afford to buy anti snake venom, as single dose costs Rs 2,000 and dozens of vials are needed to treat one patient. He said that the vaccine is not easily available at local dispensaries.
"This year too we have to purchase the vaccine directly avoiding the tender process," said Dr Marasini.
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