NAROWAL: In the past two months, two persons have died from snakebites, while 551 others received treatment at public health facilities in Narowal district. The majority of these incidents occurred in rural areas.

Ayesha Aziz from Jandiala village says she was asleep at home when a snake bit her foot. Her family killed the snake and rushed her to the Zafarwal Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital. Her timely administration of a snakebite vaccine saved her life.

Qari Abdul Kareem from Norkot town, Shakargarh, also fell victim to a snakebite. He says a snake fell on him from the roof while he was in an animal pen.

His brother took him to the Shakargarh THQ Hospital, where timely vaccination rescued him.

Health Chief Executive Officer Dr Naveed Haider told Dawn that 551 snakebite cases were documented in July and August. Among these cases, 71 patients were treated at the Narowal District Headquarters Hospital, 334 at Shakargarh THQ Hospital, 130 at Zafarwal THQ Hospital, and 16 at rural health centres.

Naeem Akhtar, district emergency officer, said that in 2022, Rescue 1122 shifted seven snakebite patients to government hospitals.

Rescuers also captured 80 snakes from residences and businesses, releasing them into the forests.

In July and August 2023, eight people injured by snakebites were transferred to government hospitals, and 59 snakes were captured from various locations and relocated to the forests.

Mohammad Rafiq, a Gumtala village resident, and Nadeem from Skarul died from snakebites.

Munir Ahmed, former councillor of Lala Union Council, says rain drains from India-held Kashmir enter Pakistan during the rainy season, with a higher influx of snakes. Despite heat and humidity, people now prefer to sleep indoors out of fear of encountering snakes.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf said an ample supply of snakebite vaccines was available at public health facilities -- rural health centres and district and tehsil headquarters hospitals. Comprehensive treatment, along with vaccines, is being provided to snakebite victims.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2023