Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory Approach

Snakebite envenoming remains a critical yet underrecognized public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, with India bearing nearly half of the global burden of snakebite-related deaths. Despite its significant impact, underreporting, delayed medical intervention, and insuff...

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Main Authors: Ajit Dadaji Shewale, Dipti Mishra, Simmi Tiwari, Tushar Nanasaheb Nale, Jitesh Kuwatada, Nidhi Khandelwal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/5/132
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author Ajit Dadaji Shewale
Dipti Mishra
Simmi Tiwari
Tushar Nanasaheb Nale
Jitesh Kuwatada
Nidhi Khandelwal
author_facet Ajit Dadaji Shewale
Dipti Mishra
Simmi Tiwari
Tushar Nanasaheb Nale
Jitesh Kuwatada
Nidhi Khandelwal
author_sort Ajit Dadaji Shewale
collection DOAJ
description Snakebite envenoming remains a critical yet underrecognized public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, with India bearing nearly half of the global burden of snakebite-related deaths. Despite its significant impact, underreporting, delayed medical intervention, and insufficiently trained healthcare professionals continue to exacerbate the problem. In response, the Government of India launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in March 2024, aiming to halve snakebite-related deaths by 2030. Key challenges during the development and implementation of NAPSE included the limited multisectoral engagement initially, variations in state-level capacities, and logistical barriers in reaching remote populations. Lessons learned include the value of early stakeholder consultations, the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration, and the need for continuous community engagement. This comprehensive strategy emphasizes strengthening surveillance systems, enhancing anti-snake venom (ASV) distribution and quality, improving healthcare infrastructure, and promoting community awareness through a One Health approach. The plan also addresses critical challenges such as inadequate training at primary healthcare levels, inconsistent ASV supply, and inefficient emergency referral systems. By fostering multisectoral collaboration and targeted interventions, such as strengthening Regional Venom Centres and establishing Poison Information Centre, targeted training, and awareness campaigns, NAPSE aims to reduce mortality and disability associated with snakebite envenoming, aligning with global health objectives and setting an example for regional efforts in Southeast Asia.
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spelling doaj-art-68cd4f98adea4eb58be24fdd7b9f3bdf2025-08-20T03:12:09ZengMDPI AGTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease2414-63662025-05-0110513210.3390/tropicalmed10050132Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory ApproachAjit Dadaji Shewale0Dipti Mishra1Simmi Tiwari2Tushar Nanasaheb Nale3Jitesh Kuwatada4Nidhi Khandelwal5Centre for One Health, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi 110074, IndiaCentre for One Health, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi 110074, IndiaCentre for One Health, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi 110074, IndiaCentre for One Health, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi 110074, IndiaCentre for One Health, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi 110074, IndiaCentre for One Health, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi 110074, IndiaSnakebite envenoming remains a critical yet underrecognized public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, with India bearing nearly half of the global burden of snakebite-related deaths. Despite its significant impact, underreporting, delayed medical intervention, and insufficiently trained healthcare professionals continue to exacerbate the problem. In response, the Government of India launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in March 2024, aiming to halve snakebite-related deaths by 2030. Key challenges during the development and implementation of NAPSE included the limited multisectoral engagement initially, variations in state-level capacities, and logistical barriers in reaching remote populations. Lessons learned include the value of early stakeholder consultations, the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration, and the need for continuous community engagement. This comprehensive strategy emphasizes strengthening surveillance systems, enhancing anti-snake venom (ASV) distribution and quality, improving healthcare infrastructure, and promoting community awareness through a One Health approach. The plan also addresses critical challenges such as inadequate training at primary healthcare levels, inconsistent ASV supply, and inefficient emergency referral systems. By fostering multisectoral collaboration and targeted interventions, such as strengthening Regional Venom Centres and establishing Poison Information Centre, targeted training, and awareness campaigns, NAPSE aims to reduce mortality and disability associated with snakebite envenoming, aligning with global health objectives and setting an example for regional efforts in Southeast Asia.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/5/132snakebite envenomingpublic healthanti-snake venomIndiaNAPSEhealthcare infrastructure
spellingShingle Ajit Dadaji Shewale
Dipti Mishra
Simmi Tiwari
Tushar Nanasaheb Nale
Jitesh Kuwatada
Nidhi Khandelwal
Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory Approach
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
snakebite envenoming
public health
anti-snake venom
India
NAPSE
healthcare infrastructure
title Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory Approach
title_full Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory Approach
title_fullStr Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory Approach
title_full_unstemmed Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory Approach
title_short Implementing Interventions Under “National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India”: Challenges, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward for Stakeholders Participatory Approach
title_sort implementing interventions under national action plan for snakebite envenoming napse in india challenges lessons learnt and way forward for stakeholders participatory approach
topic snakebite envenoming
public health
anti-snake venom
India
NAPSE
healthcare infrastructure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/5/132
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