RMCH opens country's first specialised ward for snakebite patients

RAJSHAHI, Oct 24 (BSS): Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has launched a specialised ward for the treatment of snakebite patients, the first of its kind in the country.

The initiative aims to lower the death rate from by snakebites and provide faster, more effective treatment for patients.

RMCH Director Brigadier General FM Shameem Ahmed inaugurated the newly-established Snakebite and Toxicology Ward on Thursday, describing it as a facility meeting high-dependency unit (HDU) standards. He said patients suffering from respiratory distress, cardiac failure, and other critical complications will receive treatment completely free of cost.

The new ward has beds for eight male and four female patients. Emergency treatment will also be provided to patients outside the ward when necessary.

Dr Abu Shaheen Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman, Associate Professor of the Department of Medicine, said RMCH treated 1,205 snakebite patients from January to October this year, of whom 260 were attacked by venomous snakes.

"Earlier, doctors and nurses were shortlisted and trained following the national snakebite management guideline before the ward was prepared," he added.

Dr Rahman also mentioned that the hospital recorded a 27 per cent death rate among Russell viper bite victims between 2016 and 2023. However, fatalities have dropped significantly in recent years due to improved treatment facilities.