Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), May 3: From the elusive Andaman cobra to the deadly Andaman krait and sea kraits gliding silently through coral reefs, snakebite envenoming in these islands isn’t an exception—it’s a routine public health threat. Recognising the urgency of frontline preparedness, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), in partnership with the National Health Mission, organised a virtual training session this week to sharpen the clinical skills of medical personnel across the Union Territory.
Held at the DHS conference hall in Sri Vijaya Puram and streamed across healthcare centres, the session saw participation from 54 frontline healthcare workers—including medical officers and chief medical officers from primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), and district hospitals.
Leading the session was Dr. Shiv Shankar Singh, MD (Medicine), a nationally recognised expert in snakebite management. His presentation walked participants through the entire treatment chain: identifying symptoms of envenomation, administering the right dose of anti-snake venom (ASV), stabilising patients during transit, and activating timely referral protocols. Real-life case studies and updates on evolving anti-venom therapies were also discussed.
“The golden hour after a snakebite can determine everything,” Dr. Singh said. “Training our teams to act decisively in those moments is non-negotiable.”
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with their thick forest canopy, remote terrain and unique ecology, are home to 76 species of terrestrial reptiles, of which 24 are endemic. Among the most dangerous are the Andaman cobra (Naja sagittifera)—a rare but highly venomous spitting cobra—and the Andaman krait (Bungarus andamanensis), locally called kaudia, which is nocturnal and equally deadly. Offshore, sea snakes like the yellow-lipped sea krait (Laticauda colubrina) present a different set of risks. Amphibious in nature, these snakes are venomous but typically non-aggressive.
According to Dr. Subrata Saha, state nodal officer for the Programme for Control of Snake Bite Envenoming (PCSBE), the long-term goal is to standardise snakebite treatment protocols across the island chain. “Timely intervention can make the difference between life and death,” he said. “This training ensures our teams—whether they’re in Campbell Bay or Mayabunder—know exactly what steps to take.”
The interactive session also brought local realities to the surface. Healthcare workers flagged recurring challenges: delayed access to ASV in remote centres, limited transport infrastructure, and low public awareness about how to respond to snakebites. Some participants called for more hands-on workshops and simulation-based training in the future.
Dr. Rajiv Ghosh, District Public Health Officer, acknowledged these concerns and reiterated the administration’s focus on building system-wide capacity. “Emergency readiness isn’t just about one training session. We’re looking at better infrastructure, improved cold-chain facilities for ASV, and stronger community engagement,” he said.
Snakebite remains one of the country’s most under-addressed public health emergencies. India records an estimated 50,000 to 58,000 deaths annually due to snakebites—a figure that may be higher due to underreporting. In the Andamans, where biodiversity and human activity frequently overlap, bridging the gap between response and risk is essential.
The DHS says the training is part of a broader island-wide health resilience programme, aimed at strengthening not just emergency care but overall faith in the public healthcare system—especially in places where the nearest hospital could be several boat rides away.
