The Supreme Court of India has directed the Centre to take urgent action to address the crisis surrounding snakebite treatment in the country. The apex court emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among states to ensure the availability of anti-venom medicines and specialized treatment facilities, particularly in rural areas, where snakebite cases are most prevalent.

Key Highlights:
Supreme Court Order:
A two-judge bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice S.V. Bhatti heard a PIL filed by lawyer Shailendra Mani Tripathi, urging improved access to poly-venom (anti-venom) and snakebite treatment across government health facilities.

Public Health Crisis:
The court noted that India faces a significant public health challenge, with approximately 58,000 annual snakebite fatalities, a figure that constitutes the highest in the world.

Lack of Resources:
The plea highlighted the scarcity of anti-venom medicines in rural hospitals, leading victims to rely on traditional remedies and local healers, often resulting in delayed treatment and increased mortality.

Hearing Updates:
Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh sought time to file replies. The court granted them four weeks to submit responses and directed the Centre to coordinate with states and find solutions.

Statements from Leaders or Officials:

• The bench urged the Centre to convene a meeting with state representatives to develop actionable solutions. "The problem is prevalent throughout the country," the bench remarked.

• The Centre's counsel assured the court that steps would be taken to address the crisis and emphasized that this is not an adversarial litigation but a collective effort to save lives.

The Supreme Court has mandated that the government consider launching a snakebite prevention health mission and public awareness campaigns. It also urged authorities to establish dedicated snakebite treatment units at district hospitals and medical colleges to address this life-threatening crisis. The matter is scheduled for further hearing after four weeks, with action-taken reports to be filed by the respondents.