Many Kenyans, particularly those who reside in the country’s dry and semi-arid regions, have historically suffered from snakebites. Many have been victims after coming into contact with the slithering snakes.
Snake-prone regions including the Coast, Lower Eastern, and the arid Rift Valley regions of Samburu and Baringo are where most reports of snakebites occur.
The primary obstacle faced by those who have been bitten by a snake is the lack of timely access to medical care, in addition to the scarcity of anti-venom vials accessible to treat such cases.
However, one organisation, the Kenya Institute of Primate Research led by Dr. Peter Gichuhi Mwethera, the Chief Executive Officer is keen and committed to change that narrative by developing anti venom.
“Snakebite and the resultant consequences have for long been a neglected tropical disease. As an institution, we are into partnerships with other organisations in a bid to develop a modern, effective anti-venom that will respond to daily distress calls of snakebite cases. At the moment, our country depends on imported anti-venom mainly from India and Europe, but this has known shortcomings, including less effectiveness because it is sourced from “alien” snakes. “said Dr.Mwethera
The institution is looking forward to developing the said antivenom in the next 15 months.
One big advantage is the goodwill and support from the government that has already released the first tranche of the money.
The money will go a long way in facilitating the first phase of the locally sourced antivenom manufacture.
Apart from that, the institution collaborates with other organisations in an effort to raise community awareness, provide healthcare professionals more authority, and promote early access to health services.
In order to respond more effectively and save the 8,000 Kenyans who are amputationed, disfigured, or rendered incapacitated as a result of snakebites, the organisation is also now mapping out the affected areas.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the institution have joined in the field of research. For this research, the institution possesses a 78-acre plot of land in Samburu.
In an effort to create alliances, collaborate, and create synergy for the noble cause, the Director General also made reference to the necessity of approaching the private sector.
