RMCH facing shortage of anti-venom, says hospital director

Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) is facing a shortage of anti-venom amid a rise in snakebite cases across the region, hospital director Brig Gen FM Shamim Ahmed said today.

Speaking to this correspondent, the director said a dedicated ward for snakebite patients is being set up at RMCH to ensure better treatment.

"We are converting an expanded section of Ward No. 25 into a specialised 12-bed unit for snakebite patients. The work is nearly complete, and we hope to open it within a few days," he added.

However, the hospital is currently struggling to maintain an adequate supply of anti-venom, he said.

"Every day, we need 60 to 100 vials of anti-venom at RMCH, but we do not have enough in stock. Normally, we keep 500 vials and place new orders accordingly. But there has been no supply for the past 15 days," Brig Gen Shamim said.

"Due to this crisis, we are having to borrow anti-venom from different upazila and district hospitals, but the remaining stock will run out today," he said.

Talking to The Daily Star, Dr Abu Shaheen Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, associate professor at RMCH's Department of Medicine, said a total of 1,203 snakebite patients were admitted to the hospital between January and October 6, 2025. Among them, 259 were bitten by venomous snakes. Twelve patients died after being bitten by Russell's vipers. The total number of deaths stood at 41.

Suruz Ali, a resident of Panchabati area of Rajshahi city, said, "We often see snakes along the riverbank. During the day, it's not a big problem, but at night it becomes dangerous as we can't see them properly. Many people are getting bitten. Since our house is by the river, we have to stay extremely cautious. We even fear snakes entering our homes."

Rajshahi College student Rajib Hossain, who is undergoing treatment at the RMCH following a recent snakebite, said, "I was sitting by the river with friends when suddenly a snake bit my leg. After receiving saline and medication at the hospital, I'm feeling a bit better now."

In Bagha upazila, housewife Rahima Khatun was bitten by a snake recently while sleeping. While talking to this correspondent from the hospital bed, Rahima said, "My family rushed me to the hospital immediately. I'm recovering now. Two people in our village have died earlier from snakebite."

Dr Shaheen explained that doctors first ask patients about the snake species. "If they don't know, we show them pictures to identify it. If that fails, we determine it based on symptoms and observations before administering anti-venom," he added.

However, Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Dr SIM Raziul Karim confirmed to The Daily Star that anti-venom has been supplied to all upazila health complexes in Rajshahi. Each upazila has been provided with at least 50 to 100 vials of anti-venom. Whenever a snakebite patient arrives, treatment is given immediately.