Project: Snake & Snakebite Awareness Programme

Addressing the neglected public health issue of snakebites in West Bengal through extensive community education and professional training.

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Awareness Programmes Conducted

The Challenge: A Neglected Public Health Crisis

Snakebite envenomation, along with its related deaths and disabilities, represents a significant yet often overlooked public health problem in India. Shockingly, official data indicated approximately 58,000 deaths annually in India (as per 2019 data), a stark contrast to figures from countries like Australia (around 3 deaths per year).

Despite the alarming statistics and the lack of decrease in mortality rates, the issue often suffers from governmental neglect. Lack of awareness about prevention, snake identification, proper first aid, and timely medical treatment contributes heavily to the high rates of mortality and morbidity in affected communities.

Our Approach: Education & Empowerment

This project aimed to directly address the snakebite crisis by empowering communities and healthcare professionals with essential knowledge and skills.

Project Objectives

Conduct widespread awareness campaigns in high-risk rural and urban areas.
Educate communities on snake identification, safety precautions to avoid bites, and correct first-aid procedures.
Train healthcare professionals in effective snakebite management and treatment protocols.
Develop and distribute accessible educational materials like posters, brochures, and videos.

Core Activities (Methodology)

Organized numerous awareness campaigns and interactive workshops across target districts.
Collaborated closely with healthcare professionals, local community leaders, and relevant authorities to maximize reach and impact.
Implemented methods to evaluate the program's impact and effectiveness in knowledge dissemination and behavioral change.
Successfully conducted 75 distinct awareness programmes during the project period.

Project Scope & Details

Duration:: August 24, 2021 - July 26, 2022
Geographical Focus:: Hooghly, Howrah, and East Bardhaman districts, West Bengal
Collaboration:: CONCERN, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT)
Scale:: 75 awareness programmes conducted

Awareness Activities Gallery

Illustrative visuals representing the types of activities undertaken during the snakebite awareness program. (Replace placeholders).

Community Awareness Session

Illustrating an awareness session in a rural community about snake identification and safety.

First Aid Demonstration

Visual representation of first aid techniques being demonstrated during a workshop.

Educational Materials

Showcasing examples of posters or brochures developed for the campaign.

Expected Impact & Outcomes

By conducting 75 awareness programs and engaging multiple stakeholders across three districts, this project aimed to achieve significant positive outcomes:

Increased Awareness & Knowledge: Substantially improve understanding within communities about snakebite prevention, safety measures, and correct first aid.
Reduced Incidence & Mortality: Contribute to a measurable reduction in the number of snakebite incidents and related deaths and disabilities in the target areas.
Enhanced Community Engagement: Foster greater community participation and ownership in ongoing snakebite prevention efforts.
Improved Healthcare Response: Better equip healthcare professionals to effectively manage and treat snakebite cases through targeted training.

This intensive, year-long program represented a concentrated effort to empower communities and save lives by tackling the snakebite crisis through education and collaboration.

Continuing Need for Awareness

While this project concluded in 2022, the threat of snakebites persists in many regions of West Bengal. The knowledge shared and the awareness generated during this program remain crucial. Continued efforts by communities, healthcare systems, and conservation organizations are vital to sustain progress and further reduce the burden of snakebite-related deaths and disabilities.