A shortage of anti-venom is worrying South African doctors and trauma specialists, who called on the Department of Health to urgently find a solution.
In this regard, an open letter was signed by 27 experts in snakebite treatment, including doctors and trauma specialists.
The doctors stated that there is a shortage of anti-venom in some public and private hospitals, especially those located in high snakebite areas. There is also a shortage of veterinarians.
The signatories recalled that anti-venom is an essential life-saving treatment for patients bitten by venomous snakes and stressed the need for it to be taken in time and correctly.
The advisory group, therefore, calls on the Minister of Health to intervene to fund and approve emergency upgrades to allow for improved functionality at the Johannesburg-based anti-venom production facility.
There are about 150 species of snakes in South Africa, which is full of dangerous snakes such as forest cobras, mambas, and boomslangs.