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AMSON Launches Schools Snakebite Mass Awareness and First Aid Campaign

 

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On 29th February 2008, AMSON Vaccines and Pharma Pvt (Ltd) launched a new schools snakebite mass awareness and first aid programme for Pakistan at Fauji Foundation School, Jatla in Chakwal district.

AMSON have taken snakebite social awareness programme as a corporate priority and are providing training to schools in key areas on the correct first aid to use in the event of a bite and how to reduce the risk of snakebite. Children constitute a large number of snakebite victims and correct first aid is vital in ensuring a positive outcome. Snakebite victims who use the right first aid and come to the hospital quickly have a much better chance of survival.  Children are also a very effective vector for carrying this important message into the community.

The training was given by Ian Simpson an international snakebite expert and Snakebite Adviser to the Pakistan Medical Research Council, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences and Dr Amir Mahmood from AMSON.

To support the training, posters have been prepared in the local languages as well as English which show identification photographs of the key snakes of medical importance, the correct first aid method to be employed and measures to help reduce and avoid snakebite. These posters are being supplied to schools by AMSON.

There are currently many ineffective and dangerous techniques being used in Pakistan such as tourniquets and sucking the wound. In addition, newer techniques have been recommended such as pressure bandages which are equally ineffective and inapplicable to Pakistan.

The first aid being currently recommended is simple and easily remembered by:

“Do it R.I.G.H.T.”
It consists of the following:

  • R. =Reassure the patient. 70% of all snakebites are from non- venomous species. Only 50% of bites by venomous species actually envenomate he patient
  • I =Immobilise the limb in the same way as for a fracture. Use bandages or cloth to hold the splints, not to block the blood supply or apply pressure. Do not apply any compression in the form of tight ligatures, they don’t work and can be dangerous!
  • G. H. =Get to Hospital Immediately. Traditional remedies have NO PROVEN benefit in treating snakebite.
  • T=Tell the doctor of any systemic symptoms such as ptosis that manifest on the way to hospital.

Ian Simpson said, “It is our hope that future generations of Pakistani children will know the correct thing to do in the event of snakebite and will act as local champions to help educate adults and fellow Pakistanis in how to deal with snakebite”.

Schools that want to obtain posters quickly should contact Dr. Amir Mahmood,

AMSON:
92 51 558 1067 Ext 118
92 51 556 2574 (Direct line)

92 51 333 556 7074 (Cellular phone)              

amir@amson.org.pk