Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 13: Deputy commissioner Darshan H V has warned of strict action against hospitals that turn away snakebite victims without providing essential primary treatment and merely refer them to other medical facilities.

Chairing a meeting on snakebite prevention and reviewing snakebite fatalities at his office on Monday, October 12, the DC emphasized the critical need for immediate first aid in such emergencies.

He noted that the district has recorded instances where patients lost their lives due to unnecessary delays in receiving adequate care, as some hospitals referred them elsewhere without administering even basic primary treatment. Taking serious note of this, the DC instructed the District Health and Family Welfare Department to issue notices to such erring hospitals.

"All Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the district are well-equipped with the necessary treatments and medicines for snakebites. It is highly advisable to rush the victim to the nearest PHC," Darshan stated. He also directed the health department to create widespread public awareness on the matter and ensure the information is shared during Gram Sabhas.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO) Dr H R Thimmaiah highlighted that the state government has recently declared snakebite a notifiable disease. Consequently, it is now mandatory for all hospitals and clinics to report every snakebite case to the health department.

Providing statistical data, District Surveillance Officer Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal revealed that Dakshina Kannada district recorded 365 snakebite cases in 2023. The numbers saw a rise in subsequent years, with 625 cases (including four deaths) in 2024, 752 cases (including five deaths) in 2025, and 527 cases (including four deaths) up to September 2026.

District Wenlock Hospital superintendent Dr Shivaprakash, representatives from various private hospitals, and officials from allied departments were present at the meeting.