Andhra Pradesh: Anti-snake venom in 108 ambulances to tackle rising bites

The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to stock anti-snake venom (ASV) in all 108 ambulances across the state, a move aimed at providing immediate pre-hospital care to snakebite victims. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced the decision on Saturday, citing a rise in emergency calls related to snakebites.

According to the Health Department, 3,104 snakebite emergency calls have been received since June 2025. The minister said this trend prompted the decision to ensure that patients receive timely treatment even before reaching a hospital.

Under the new arrangement, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) posted in an ambulance can administer anti-snake venom to a patient after consulting a doctor. If the patient shows signs that the venom is spreading, the EMT will immediately contact the Emergency Response Centre in Mangalagiri. A doctor at the centre will assess the patient's condition through a camera fixed inside the ambulance and provide guidance. In severe cases, ASV can be administered immediately.

The Emergency Response Centre operates around the clock, and doctors on duty are trained to handle snakebite cases. The camera in the ambulance gives the doctor a real-time view of the patient, enabling a quick and accurate assessment of the situation.

However, health officials have stressed that the ASV must not be administered without professional consultation. Director of Secondary Health K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu said EMTs have been trained to determine if symptoms of envenomation are increasingly manifesting in the body and to communicate this to the doctor. "An EMT should not give the ASV to a patient without consulting a doctor," he said.

Officials said the initiative will help make better use of the "golden hour" – the crucial first hour after a snakebite when prompt treatment can save a life. By offering the first dose of anti-venom in the ambulance itself, the golden hour can be used more effectively to save the patient.

Snakebite remains a significant public health challenge in India, particularly in rural and agricultural regions where access to healthcare is limited. According to the World Health Organization, India accounts for a large share of the world’s snakebite deaths. Timely administration of anti-venom is critical, and the availability of ASV in 108 ambulances is expected to improve survival rates.

The 108 ambulance service is a free emergency response system run by the state government. Equipping its fleet with ASV is part of a broader effort to strengthen emergency medical care and make life-saving treatment accessible to people in the most urgent situations.