Varanasi Mobilises Communities for International Snakebite Awareness Day

On Saturday, Varanasi’s streets buzzed with a purpose that was far from ordinary – the city marked International Snakebite Awareness Day with a hands‑on outreach programme. Under the banner of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, ASHA workers, auxiliary nurse‑midwives, chief medical officers and a host of enthusiastic health volunteers gathered in village squares and community halls, all intent on one thing: teaching people how to stay safe and what to do if the unexpected happens.

“Snakebite is a medical emergency, not a folk tale,” warned Chief Medical Officer N.P. Singh, who opened the session with a calm but firm reminder that every second counts. He urged villagers to breathe easy, keep their heads clear, and race the victim to the nearest health centre – ditching any temptation to try witchcraft, home concoctions or superstitious rituals.

The theme for this year’s observance – “Snakebite Survivors and Rescuers: Harbingers of Change” – was more than just a catchy tagline. Survivors shared short, heartfelt stories, while local “rescuers” – often the same people who will be first on the scene – described how proper training transformed a panic‑filled moment into a chance for life. Their testimonies acted like a quiet chorus, nudging everyone listening toward better preparedness.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Shivshakti Prasad Dwivedi took the floor next, spelling out the simple, yet crucial, dos and don’ts of first aid. Keep the bite victim calm, immobilise the affected limb, and most importantly, avoid harmful practices such as cauterising the wound, sucking out poison or tightening a tourniquet. “Those old‑school tricks only delay the real help – a dose of antivenom administered by trained staff,” he said, echoing national guidelines.

Prevention, however, earned the longest slot. Dwivedi reminded everyone that a clean yard, trimmed bushes, proper waste disposal, sleeping off the floor and using mosquito nets can dramatically cut the odds of an unwanted encounter. He also suggested a handy flashlight for night‑time trips – a small habit that can make a big difference.

The government’s role surfaced repeatedly. Antivenom supplies, capacity‑building workshops for health workers, and the promise of rapid treatment at primary health centres were highlighted as pillars of the national strategy. Villagers left the session armed not just with information, but with a clear call to action: treat every bite seriously and head straight to the health department’s facilities.

As the day wound down, the atmosphere was a mix of hopeful chatter and lingering seriousness. The community had learned that a snakebite isn’t a death sentence if handled correctly – it’s a call for swift, professional care, and that knowledge, once shared, can truly save lives.