Nepal, July 30 -- Snakebite is a life-threatening emergency which mostly affects women and children with a lower socio-economic status in rural Nepal. But the issue remains neglected. In a country which is largely agrarian, encounters with venomous snakes are also an occupational hazard for plantation workers, herders and fishermen. While most snakebite deaths and disabilities are preventable, many people continue to die for lack of first aid measures, access to healthcare and anti-snake venom.

Snakebites have resulted in deaths and serious impairments in communities, mostly in remote areas where access to health care remains a challenge, and where locals tend to favour faith healers over medical professionals. According to the World Hea...