Why in the News?

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a 13.5 crore, four-year multi-state implementation research project to develop a comprehensive national model to reduce snakebite deaths.
• The initiative recognises the Assam-based Demow Model as a successful community-led framework and aims to scientifically validate and scale it nationwide.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Snakebite (Basics, Statistics, ICMR’s National Research Project, Demow Model, Objectives, Significance, etc.)

India’s High Burden of Snakebite Deaths

• Snakebite envenoming (SBE) remains a major yet under-addressed public health issue in India.
• The country accounts for nearly 58,000 deaths annually, the highest in the world.
• Snakebites primarily affect rural communities, agricultural workers, and tribal populations, especially in states such as Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.
• Despite being a preventable cause of death, India faces persistent challenges:

• Delayed access to treatment
• Lack of community awareness
• Inadequate referral systems
• Limited use of digital monitoring tools
• Insufficient pre-hospital care

• ICMR’s latest national initiative seeks to bridge these systemic gaps.

Overview of the ICMR National Snakebite Research Project

• The new ICMR-backed project, titled “Zero Snakebite Death Initiative: Community Empowerment & Engagement for Mitigation of Snakebite Envenoming,” aims to formulate a replicable community-based model for reducing mortality.
• It will be implemented across seven states: Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.
• The research will be coordinated under SARPA (Snakebite Awareness, Response, Prevention & Action).
• Key aspects:

• Multi-state implementation research
• Community empowerment and education
• Improvement of pre-hospital and hospital care
• Creation of a real-time digital dashboard for surveillance
• Standardised data collection by appointed researchers and technical staff in each state
• Research is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

About Demow Model

• The selection of Assam’s Demow Model marks a significant recognition of grassroots innovation.
• The model has shown notable success in Assam’s Sivasagar district through strong community mobilisation and rapid referral systems.
• Core Features of the Demow Model

• High community participation with local volunteers acting as first responders
• A robust referral network to ensure that patients reach health centres within the “golden hour”
• Awareness campaigns on preventing snakebites and first-aid dos and don’ts
• Training of ASHA workers, schoolteachers, and village leaders
• Collaboration with local hospitals such as Demow Hospital

• Because of its strong outcomes, the model will now undergo scientific evaluation and may be scaled across multiple states.

Integration of Other State Models

• ICMR aims to create a composite national-level model by integrating successful practices from different regions. The research will evaluate and merge the strengths of:
• Maharashtra Model - Use of Protective Equipment
  • Distribution of gumboots and protective gear to high-risk agricultural communities.
• Himachal Pradesh Model - Pre-hospital Anti-Snake Venom (ASV)
  • Administration of ASV in ambulances during transport, a breakthrough in early treatment.
• Kerala Model - Digital Coordination Platforms
  • Use of real-time digital tools to track cases, guide referrals, and coordinate health services.
• Together with the Demow Model, these elements form the backbone of a potential national strategy.

Project Objectives

• Primary Objective

• Develop, pilot, and implement a nationally replicable community engagement model to prevent and manage snakebite envenoming.

• Secondary Objectives

• Increase awareness and capacity among community members, health workers, and doctors.
• Improve early referral and treatment-seeking behaviour.
• Establish a digital snakebite dashboard for high-quality surveillance.
• Generate evidence to support national policies on snakebite management.

Public Health Significance

• Snakebite was officially recognised by the WHO as a high-priority neglected tropical disease, and India carries the largest global burden.
• A national framework can help the country:

• Reduce preventable deaths
• Improve rural health systems
• Strengthen emergency preparedness
• Enhance community resilience

• Given India's varied ecosystems and agricultural practices, a multi-state, adaptable model is essential for long-term mitigation.