Antivenom scarcity in mid-western region

BARDIA, Sept 7: At a time when the number of snakebites is increasing in the mid-western region of the country, there is an acute shortage of antivenom vaccines at the zonal hospital in Bardia and most other district hospitals in the region.



The patients from all over the region either have to be rushed to the Bardia District Hospital, which is already struggling to cope with the ever-growing crowd, or head to India for treatment.[break]



“Most of the patients that come to us are from all over the region and their numbers are on the rise,” said Chief of Bardia District Hospital, Acchyut Lamichhane.



Concerned over the growing number of patients, Lamichhane said what would happen if Bardia Hospital too runs out of antivenom .

Tulsi Gharti, who hails from Salyan district, was first rushed to Nepalgunj with snake bitten index finger. But he was immediately referred to the Bardia District Hospital.



“We took her to Nepalgunj for medical treatment first but the doctors were helpless. There were no antivenom vaccines there. Had we delayed in transporting her to Bardia District Hospital, she could have died,” said Nisha Gharti, a relative.

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