Keonjhar: Snakebite fatalities are on the rise in the district with the victims being subjected to traditional healers instead of being hospitalisation.

As many as 34 persons died in the district from May 15 to August 15. The majority of snakebite victims were brought to hospitals at a belated stage, resulting in their deaths. "Lives could have been saved had the victims been administered vaccines on time," said chief district medical officer Swapneswar Gaganayak.

There are instances of people going for treatment by the traditional healers. The occult practice is widely prevalent in this mineral-rich district. "Witchdoctors don the mantle of medical practitioners to heal the snakebite victims. It proves counter-productive with the victims dying because of the lack of timely administration of anti-venom vaccines," he said.

Of the 34 deaths registered in past three months, as many as 30 of the victims were tribal settlers, who were admitted at hospitals in serious conditions. "Ironically, the victims had been left to the whims and fancies of the traditional healers. That resulted in the fatality. While 40 more snakebite cases were reported during the period, all of them were saved with the administration of anti-venom vaccines. Keeping in view the rise in cases of snakebite, the headquarters and peripheral hospitals are having adequate stock of anti-venom vaccines at their disposal to meet with the situation," said the official.

The block-wise break-up of snakebite fatalities since the past three months, according to official sources, is Anandpur-6, Telkoi-5, Saharapada-4, Ghasipura-4, Harichandanpur-4, Keonjhar-2, Patana-2, Joda-2 and one each in Banshapala, Champua, Ghatagaon, Hatadihi and Jhumpura blocks.

As many as 145 snakebite deaths were reported in various government-run hospitals in the district in 2015-16 to 2017-18 years.

While 50 snakebite deaths had been registered in 2015-16, 45 deaths were recorded in 2016-17. However, the toll rose to 52 in 2017-18 financial year.

"Through the network of village-level health workers, we are trying to ensure that all snakebite victims are brought to nearest health institution at the earliest for medical examination and administering of anti-snake venom to save their lives," the official said.

Boy hurt

An eight-year-old boy was injured in an explosion that took place when he attempted to connect a cell phone battery with a LED bulb in Kandhamal district. as Sanjam Mallick was admitted to a nearby government hospital and he is out of danger, police said.