Question : Availability of Anti-venom Injections

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has prepared any policy to provide anti-venom injections/drugs in Primary Health Centres and rural hospitals to treat the patients of insects poisoning and animal bites;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the number of deaths reported due to non-availability of anti-venom and antirabies injections, State/UT-wise during the last three years; and

(d) the remedial measures taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b): Public Health and Hospital being a State subject, the primary responsibility of ensuring availability of anti-venom injections/drugs in Public health facilities including Primary Health Centres and rural hospitals is that of respective State Government. However, under the National Health Mission (NHM), financial and technical support is provided to the States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare delivery system including support for provision of essential drugs including anti-venom and rabies vaccination free of cost to those who access public healthcare facilities upto district hospitals under the National Free Drugs Service Initiative.
(c ): The details regarding number of deaths reported due to non-availability of anti-venom and anti-rabies injections is not maintained Centrally.
(d): Both Anti Snake Venom Serum (ASVS) and Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) have already been included in the essential drug list.