Live Snake Show in Nepal
11:06 PM
Snake bite is the most neglected
medical emergency particularly in the southern lowlands of Nepal. A
large number of envenomed victims can survive only if they are treated
with antivenom serum as quickly as possible. If such treatment centres
are located far away, appropriate first aid measures can delay
dissemination of the venom in the victim´s body until a treatment with
antivenom. Because the problem is confined to poor people without
political clout, no effective programmes have been implemented to
address frequent antivenom shortages. Producing quality antivenom in
Nepal, like in other underdeveloped countries, is an expensive project.
However, if plans are made to produce antivenom using Nepali human
resources to support international experts, and humanitarian aid is used
as seed money, it is not far away.
Antivenom was first developed by French scientist Albert Calmette in 1895. To produce antivenom, the venom from a single or many snakes is administered to a horse. The horse gradually develops immunity (antibodies) against this venom. The antibodies are special proteins which are developed in the blood of the experimental animals. They are extracted and refined. These special and refined proteins are called antivenom. In this way, medicine for the treatment of snakebite is prepared. The government of Nepal, World Health Organisation (WHO) or other humanitarian organisations should work to make this medicine cheaply and easily available. This life-saving drug should be distributed to all qualified health institutions in regions where snakebite is common. Probably due to the effect of climate change, snakebite cases are increasing in the hills of Nepal. Therefore, the shortage of antivenom should be addressed soon.
Antivenom was first developed by French scientist Albert Calmette in 1895. To produce antivenom, the venom from a single or many snakes is administered to a horse. The horse gradually develops immunity (antibodies) against this venom. The antibodies are special proteins which are developed in the blood of the experimental animals. They are extracted and refined. These special and refined proteins are called antivenom. In this way, medicine for the treatment of snakebite is prepared. The government of Nepal, World Health Organisation (WHO) or other humanitarian organisations should work to make this medicine cheaply and easily available. This life-saving drug should be distributed to all qualified health institutions in regions where snakebite is common. Probably due to the effect of climate change, snakebite cases are increasing in the hills of Nepal. Therefore, the shortage of antivenom should be addressed soon.
0 comments