The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a significant initiative to reduce snakebite deaths in India. With an investment of ₹13.5 crore, the four-year multi-state research project aims to develop a national model for preventing snakebite envenoming (SBE). This national effort draws inspiration from Assam’s Demow Model, which has already shown success in combating snakebites at the grassroots level.
The Demow Model – A Grassroots Success:
One of the most exciting aspects of this initiative is the recognition of Assam’s Demow Model, which has been selected as a key example of community-led success. This model, developed in Assam’s Sivasagar district, focuses on:
- Community Participation: Local volunteers act as first responders, ensuring timely intervention in the “golden hour.”
- Referral Systems: A robust network ensures swift transportation of victims to healthcare facilities.
- Awareness Campaigns: Local communities are educated on first-aid measures and snakebite prevention.
- Training: ASHA workers, teachers, and village leaders are trained to handle snakebite cases.
Due to its remarkable outcomes, the ‘Demow Model’ will now undergo scientific evaluation and may be scaled across other regions of India.
India’s High Burden of Snakebite Deaths:
Snakebite envenoming remains a critical public health issue in India, claiming nearly 58,000 lives annually, the highest in the world.
The victims are often rural, agricultural, and tribal communities, particularly in states like Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand. Despite being preventable, snakebites continue to be a major cause of mortality due to various reasons like:
- Lack of community awareness
- Inadequate referral networks
- Lack of digital surveillance tools
- Insufficient pre-hospital care
- Lack of access to treatment
ICMR’s new initiative aims to address these gaps by creating a unified, replicable model to reduce snakebite fatalities across the nation.
Overview of the ICMR’s National Snakebite Research Project:
Titled Zero Snakebite Death Initiative: Community Empowerment & Engagement for Mitigation of Snakebite Envenoming, this project is set to span seven states: Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.
The research will be coordinated under SARPA (Snakebite Awareness, Response, Prevention & Action) and aims to:
- Empower communities with awareness and education
- Improve pre-hospital and hospital care
- Implement a digital dashboard for real-time surveillance and coordination
- Standardize data collection across participating states
The project is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with a focus on creating a scalable, community-based model for snakebite prevention and management.
Integration of Other State Models for National Strategy:
ICMR’s initiative doesn’t just rely only on the Demow Model. It also integrates successful practices from other states, creating a comprehensive national strategy. These models include:
- Maharashtra Model: Distribution of protective gear, such as gumboots, to high-risk agricultural communities.
- Himachal Pradesh Model: Early administration of anti-snake venom (ASV) injections during transport to healthcare facilities, which significantly improves treatment outcomes.
- Kerala Model: Real-time digital tools to track snakebite cases, guide referrals, and enhance health service coordination.
By combining the strengths of these regional models, the ICMR aims to create an adaptable and effective national framework.
Project Objectives and Expected Outcomes:
The Zero Snakebite Death Initiative has clear objectives, both primary and secondary:
- To develop and implement a community-based, nationally replicable model for snakebite prevention and management.
- Enhance awareness and training among community members, healthcare workers, and doctors.
- Improve referral and treatment-seeking behaviours.
- Establish a real-time digital surveillance platform for snakebites.
- Generate evidence to support national policies on snakebite management.
Public Health Impact and Significance:
The recognition of snakebite as a high-priority neglected tropical disease by the WHO underscores the urgency of addressing this issue in India. With this national initiative, ICMR seeks to:
- Reduce preventable deaths from snakebites
- Strengthen rural health systems
- Improve emergency preparedness
- Foster greater community resilience in the face of snakebite risks
By creating a multi-state, adaptable model, the ICMR aims to significantly improve India’s response to snakebites, ensuring that the entire country benefits from these life-saving interventions.
Conclusion:
ICMR’s ₹13.5 crore research project, inspired by Assam’s Demow Model, aims to transform snakebite prevention in India. With a comprehensive, community-driven approach, the initiative addresses the key challenges that hinder effective snakebite management and prevention. The integration of successful regional models and the creation of a national strategy will undoubtedly lead to a reduction in snakebite deaths and a stronger healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Sources:
- https://assamtribune.com/assam/assams-demow-model-to-be-studied-under-national-snakebite-research-project-1601876
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam/assams-demow-model-is-focus-of-icmr-project-for-zero-snakebite-deaths/article70392572.ece
Also read :
The Demow Model is a community-led snakebite response system from Assam that focuses on first responders, fast referrals, local awareness, and training to save lives during the critical “golden hour.”
India records nearly 58,000 snakebite deaths annually, the highest globally. The Demow Model has proven effective at the grassroots level and offers a replicable solution for rural and tribal regions.
It is a ₹13.5 crore, multi-state research project led by ICMR to create a national, community-based snakebite prevention model, covering seven Indian states.
Snakebite envenoming is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the World Health Organization, and this initiative supports global goals to reduce preventable deaths through community empowerment and health system strengthening.
Under the ICMR snakebite strategy, digital dashboards will enable real-time reporting, surveillance, and referral coordination, helping reduce delays in treatment and prevent avoidable snakebite deaths.
