ANTI-VENOM. An expert of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) extracts venom from a snake as part of the process to produce purified cobra anti-venom. Rising cases of snake bites this dry season prompted some officials in Eastern Visayas to request for anti-venom to prevent deaths. (Photo courtesy of RITM)
TACLOBAN CITY – Rising cases of snake bites this dry season have prompted some officials in Eastern Visayas to request for more anti-venom medicines to prevent deaths in areas far from primary hospitals.
In Mapanas, Northern Samar, Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano has sent a letter to the Department of Health (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) indicating the request.
This followed the deaths of two farmers after being bitten by a Philippine King Cobra in April.
“Both victims accidentally stepped on the venomous snake while farming,” Tejano told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.
Having a ready supply of anti-venom is an advantage because their town is located two hours away from the provincial hospital in Catarman town.
Mapanas, which is one of the Pacific towns in Northern Samar, is also six hours away from the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in this city, where anti-venom supplies in the region are stored.
“Considering our location, it is really important for us to have an available supply of anti-venom for us to immediately provide medical assistance to those who are victims of snake bites,” Tejano added.
He said they have not yet received any response from the RITM since they sent the letter last month.
In Southern Leyte, 2nd district Rep. Christopherson Yap said he will meet with the regional director of DOH to seek their assistance for a supply of anti-venom in his congressional district.
He shared that two residents in his district had died due to snake bites.
“Time is a crucial element in this case. If we still need to transport the patient to Tacloban for them to receive medical attention when bitten by a snake, that will be too late, especially if the snake that bites them is venomous,” Yap said.
Anti-venom is an antibody medicine that can disable a particular venom’s toxins. If injected quickly after a bite or sting, the antibodies neutralize the venom, potentially saving the victim’s life or limb. (PNA)
