This collaborative effort seeks to produce high-quality implementation evidence to significantly reduce snakebite mortality and morbidity. Representational file image.
| Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar
Thec from eastern Assam’s Sivasagar has been chosen as one of the successful systems of snakebite prevention and management to be scientifically studied and potentially scaled up across the country, under a project sanctioned by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The ICMR sanctioned the four-year research project worth ₹13.5 crore to “tackle the devastating public health challenge of snakebite envenoming” in India. The project, called the Zero Snakebite Death Initiative: Community Empowerment and Engagement for Mitigation of Snakebite Envenoming, aims to develop a unified, replicable, and highly effective national model for prevention and management.
The research, spearheaded by Jaideep Menon of Kerala’s Amrita Institute, will span seven States — Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Regional strategies
The project will analyse and integrate proven regional strategies, topped by the Demow Model, which focuses on robust community engagement and referral networks, and involves community awareness, volunteers, and participation.
For Assam, the study will focus on the Demow and Gelekey blocks of Sivasagar district. Surajit Giri from the Demow Hospital has been appointed as the investigator for the State on this project.
The other models are for protective equipment distribution (Maharashtra), anti-snake venom injection during transport (Himachal Pradesh), and using digital tools for better coordination and real-time surveillance (Kerala).
Integrated approach
“The research will be conducted under the banner of SARPA (Snakebite Awareness, Response, Prevention, and Action). This integrated approach seeks to bridge the critical gap between affected communities and formal health systems, ensuring victims receive life-saving treatment within the crucial golden hour,” an ICMR spokesperson said.
The research and community study are scheduled to begin in January 2026. ICMR has already allocated resources, including a research scientist and four technical staff members for each participating State, to ensure rigorous implementation and data collection.
This collaborative effort seeks to produce high-quality implementation evidence to significantly reduce snakebite mortality and morbidity, addressing India’s disproportionately high burden of snakebite envenoming, estimated at approximately 58,000 deaths annually.
Published – December 13, 2025 07:49 pm IST