Two die of snakebite as hospitals nationwide run out of anti-venom vaccines

Two people have died of snakebite in Rautahat district on Wednesday night.

The victims have been identified as Laxmi Bhagat, 10 of Aurahiya VDC-2 and one-and-a-half year old Archana Kumari Saha of Aurahiya VDC-7.

The two girl child had fallen seriously ill after being bitten by snake while sleeping in their respective houses. While Laxmi died undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gaur, Archana breathed his last while being rushed to the hospital, according to District Police Office, Rautahat.

Reports say snakebite victims across the country are at grave risk of not getting appropriate treatment as the zonal hospitals have run out of anti-venom a week ago.

Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital in Rajbiraj, BP Koirala Institute of Health Science in Dharan, Koshi Zonal Hospital in Biratnagar have run out of anti-venom vaccines, putting many snakebite victims at risk.

According to Republica English Daily, the prolonged shortage of anti-venom vials has cost many lives across the country. Two snakebite victims have died in Saptari district in the past week alone. nepalnews.com