Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to reduce snakebite deaths in Kerala, the government will ensure that antivenom is available at all Family Health Centres (FHCs) in the state. The initiative will cover around 850 FHCs and is expected to be completed within a year. Of the 44 people who have died in human-wildlife conflicts this year, 22 lost their lives due to snakebites.

The state's aim is to completely eliminate snakebite deaths within five years. As part of this mission, the government will roll out a programme titled "Kerala without Snakebite Deaths." In its first phase, training will be provided.

The Forest Department, in partnership with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the Health and Local Self Government (LSG), Revenue, Directorate of Animal Husbandry, and General Education Departments, is overseeing the project. Furthermore, the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru has been tasked with developing an antivenom for the venom of the hump-nosed pit viper, for which there is currently no available remedy.

Over the past five years, the Forest Department's records show that 221 people have died from snakebites in Kerala. While polyvalent antivenom for cobra, viper, saw-scaled viper, and common krait venom is available and effective, injecting these for bites from the Malabar pit viper and hump-nosed pit viper poses significant risks.