Two-day National Symposium on ‘Challenges in Snakebite Management’ begins at Mysore University

Mysuru: There are over 50,000 deaths and 1,40,000 disabilities annually due to snake bites in the country with most of the victims being rural folks and labourers, who are the breadwinners of their families. 

This was revealed to the gathering during the screening of the short film on snake bites at the two-day National Symposium on ‘Challenges in Snakebite Management,’ which began at Vijnana Bhavan, University of Mysore this morning.

The Symposium, organised by the Department of Studies in Biochemistry and Department of Studies in Molecular Biology, University of Mysore was inaugurated by Varsity VC Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar with Dr. Joseph K. Joseph, Nephrologist at Little Flower Hospital at Angamali in Kerala as the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Joseph said that time is the worst enemy of snake bite victims and urged the gathering to shift the snake bite victim to the hospital without wasting time. 

Continuing, he said that as prevention is better than cure, the surroundings of dwellings has to be kept clean so that snakes do not take shelter in coconut shell heap and other unused items stored in heaps.

Prof. Hemantha Kumar, who also spoke, said that the Department of Biochemistry has been carrying out research on snake venom pharmacology since 1980 and added that the research contributions made by the University of Mysore are widely acknowledged by scientific community both in the country and abroad.

He further said that the Symposium is providing a platform to researchers and doctors to deliberate the challenges involved in the management of snakebite complications.

The two-day symposium will see topics such as The epidemiology of snakebite incidents in India; The distribution of venomous snakes in India; Snakebite treatment and challenges; The drawbacks of anti-venom therapy, Development of better anti-venom; Diagnosis of bitten venomous snake species; Alternate therapies complementing anti-venom etc., being discussed.

The valedictory will be held tomorrow at 4.30 pm.

Organising Secretary Dr. B.S. Vishwanath, Professor, Dept. Of Studies in Biochemistry, Convenor Dr. K. Kemparaju, Professor, Dept. Of Studies in Biochemistry, University of Mysore, Dr. R. Manjunatha Kini of National University of Singapore, Dr. Manoj Kumar Bhat, Director of National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, Varsity Registrar Prof. R. Shivappa, representatives of companies manufacturing anti-venoms and others were present.