Indian snakebite victims benefit from insurance cover

Victims of venomous snakebites in India who can’t afford treatments will benefit from confirmed health insurance coverage, after a University of Reading researcher helped to lobby for its inclusion.

The ‘Accident Trauma Care Insurance Policy’ has been approved to cover many of the most deprived people in India and will include major accidents and trauma care including treatment for snakebites. The coverage was secured thanks to the work of Professor Sakthi Vaiyapuri from the University of Reading, who has been leading research into treatments and testing for venomous snakebites.

Professor Vaiyapuri (pictured) has also been promoting basic public health advice about what to do in cases of snakebites. Following his campaign which is estimated to have reached 8 million people, regional hospitals saw the number of people seeking medical treatment for snakebites within the crucial first four hours increase from 60% to 95%.

Professor Sakthi Vaiyapuri, Professor in Cardiovascular & Venom Pharmacology at the University of Reading said:

“Snakebites are recognised by the WHO as a high priority neglected health issue, killing 140,000 people per year and leaving nearly half a million people permanently disabled, largely as a result of viper bites.

“One of the major challenges in reducing the devastating effect that snakebites can have is ensuring that people in rural areas know that they need to get immediate medical help, especially in areas where people don’t automatically turn to healthcare in emergency situations due to significant treatment costs at tertiary care settings.

“The confirmation of the Accident Trauma Care Policy for the most vulnerable poor people in India is a major victory as it means there are fewer barriers to people getting the urgent treatment they need including in private hospitals.”

The insurance premium has been launched by Star Health Insurance and is offered at around Rs 472 annual premium (approx. £5) and Rs 100,000 is the maximum claim amount in hospital treatment following venomous snakebites and other accidents. This insurance will also provide disability and death cover following snakebites.