Jhapa, July 22

Snakebite treatment centres provided treatment services to as many as 2,630 snakebite patients in 2018-19 fiscal in Jhapa.

Snakebite treatment centres are in operation in Mechinagar, Kankai and Damak municipalities of Jhapa. The patients appeared to be satisfied with the facilities they were receiving despite the fact that the centres running on low resources.

The Nepali Army’s Shreenath Battalion-based snakebite treatment centre in Charali is one of the oldest treatment centres in the country. The treatment centre was set up to treat army personnel in the barracks. It is being run by the community since 2005 with the technical support of the Nepali Army.

Snakebite patients from Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam and Darjeeling of India reach the centre for treatment. Rishi Ram Pokhrel, a technician,  said 1,490 snakebite patients had received treatment at the centre in the last fiscal.

A building with ventilator and intensive care unit has been constructed from the development fund established with the charity of locals and local levels, among others.

Pokhrel said the authorities concerned have yet to pay heed to the demand for ensuring smooth operation of the ventilator and the ICU.

A technician at Nepal Red-cross Society, Damak, Khem Adhikari said 890 snakebite patients were treated in the centre in the last fiscal.

Similarly, a non-government organisation, Sahara Nepal, has been operating a treatment facility in Kankai for the last three years. Another technician Sagar Dhungel said 250 snakebite patients were treated in the centre last fiscal.