Antivenom must be given urgently after a bite from any venomous snake; otherwise the patient risks death. Yet this most essential medicine is not available at Meherpur's hospitals.

Out of superstition, many people bitten by snakes go to an ojha (traditional healer), putting their lives at risk, and many die. Adequate antivenom stocks at hospitals would let snakebite patients get proper treatment, but because of the shortage they cannot.

Meherpur General Hospital has had no antivenom for the past week, and the Gangni and Mujibnagar upazila health complexes have had none for a long six months. Snakebite patients are being sent away without it.

Dr Jamir Md Hasibus Sattar, superintendent of Meherpur General Hospital, said the hospital ran out of antivenom a few days ago. A requisition has been sent and he hopes the shortage will be over shortly.

Toufiq Ahmed, resident medical officer of Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complex, said its antivenom ran out in June. A requisition was sent in July but nothing has arrived yet.

Dabir Uddin, storekeeper of Gangni Upazila Health Complex, said the antivenom ran out six months ago. Written requisitions have been sent several times, and the need is raised every month at the civil surgeon's office meeting, but none has arrived yet.

Civil surgeon Dr Jowaherul Anam Siddiqui said antivenom for snakebite patients ran out in the district about a month ago, and the district's requirement has been sent.

Reported by Asif Iqbal.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.