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GWANDA (The Citizen Bulletin) — The unavailability of antivenom in public health facilities across Matabeleland South remains a major concern as the country approaches the peak snake bite season.
This issue threatens to put locals in life-threatening situations, especially amidst the anticipated rise in snake bites during the upcoming warmer months. This is particularly severe in rural areas, where villagers live in constant fear for their lives.
Early this year, there was an increase in snake bites. High temperatures across the province were a contributing factor, as reptiles favor warm conditions, increasing the chances of encounters with humans. If not treated urgently, snake bites can often result in death.
Snakes, being cold-blooded animals, rely on external sources like the sun or shade to regulate their body temperature. The increased number of snake encounters is largely due to the movement of the reptiles from one seasonal habitat to another, according to FarmProgress.
Nolwazi Siziba, a 50-year-old grandmother from Gonkwe, Gwanda, recalls with tears how her grandson succumbed to snake venom.
“The minor was bitten on the leg at home in Khozi. He was taken to Dula Clinic, where he was given an injection to mitigate the pain. We were instructed to monitor him at home and take him to Mtshabezi Hospital if the pain worsened. He seemed to improve during the day but started crying and groaning in the evening. After a moment, he passed on.”
Nolwazi Siziba narrates
Siziba’s grandson is not the only victim to succumb to snake venom after seeking medical attention. Many such cases have been recorded in recent years. The crisis of antivenom unavailability continues, while snake bite cases rise, causing great concern among locals who lose loved ones under such miserable conditions.
Peter Dube, a 60-year-old media veteran, also died from snake venom two years ago. He was bitten at his homestead and, due to the lack of antivenom at local clinics, was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital. Despite hopes that he would survive, he died while paperwork was being processed for his transfer to Bulawayo.
“Dube died while we were processing his transfer to Bulawayo hospitals, where we believed there could be antivenom,” explains Mirriam Moyo, a former nurse at the Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), snake bites must be treated with urgency like all other emergencies. Venomous snake bites can cause severe paralysis, fatal hemorrhage, irreversible kidney failure, and severe local tissue destruction. Most deaths and serious consequences of snake bites are preventable with widely available and accessible antivenoms.
Contrary to WHO’s standards, Gwanda Provincial Hospital does not have antivenom in its medical supply stock. Patients referred to the hospital for snake bites from clinics do not receive the necessary treatment, resulting in loss of life. Often, victims are prescribed medication to buy from pharmacies, which is unaffordable for many.
More than ten cases of snake bites have been referred to the provincial hospital this year, with all victims required to buy the medication. Severe cases are then sent to Bulawayo hospitals for further treatment.
“Buying medicine is for the privileged. For those of us who depend on small rural sales, it is a pipe dream. We plead with the government to prioritize public health,” says Irvy Phiri, a resident of Gwanda town.
“It is very disappointing to trust that one can get attention at local health centers. It is one thing for a victim to die before getting any medical help, but it is very disheartening for one to die at the hospital without getting any help. Urgent attention is greatly required.”
Irvy Phiri
Provincial health authorities were not available to comment at the time of publication. This article will be updated as soon as an official statement is obtained.
However, community safety campaigners believe that with the number of snake bite cases and the impending peak season, a concerted effort is necessary to alleviate unnecessary loss of life.