Which Dhaka hospitals treat snakebite victims?

Rain often increases the presence of snakes, leading to more snakebite incidents. While treatment for snakebites is available at government hospitals at the upazila and district levels, many people are curious about which hospitals in the capital city of Dhaka provide such treatment. 

It has been found that not all hospitals in Dhaka have the facilities or antivenom necessary for treating snakebite patients. 

As a result, if residents of Dhaka and its surrounding areas do not know where to seek treatment, they may face significant difficulties.

According to the Ministry of Health, all government hospitals at the upazila and district levels should have adequate snakebite treatment facilities and antivenom. 

The same applies to government hospitals in Dhaka. 

However, upon investigation, it was found that only a few hospitals in Dhaka have snakebite treatment facilities and sufficient antivenom.

Prominent hospitals such as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMU), Birdem General Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka Mohanagar General Hospital, Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital do not have antivenom. 

Hospital authorities mentioned that they either do not have antivenom, have applied for it, or rarely see snakebite patients. Hence the lack of antivenom.

Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital

However, Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital does treat snakebite patients and has adequate antivenom, according to the hospital authorities. 

Despite multiple attempts, it was not possible to speak with the hospital's director, Brigadier General Md. Mazharul Islam, about the antivenom supply. An email was also sent to him, but he did not respond. 

The hospital's Assistant Director Dr Mofizur Rahman Molla confirmed that the hospital does treat snakebite patients and has sufficient antivenom. 

He said that the hospital treats all kinds of patients, including those bitten by snakes, who mainly come from surrounding areas like Keraniganj, Shariatpur and Madaripur districts. 

When asked if there had been any snakebite patients in the last month, Dr Molla confirmed that there had been, and that the patients received treatment and returned home healthy. 

“Besides snakebite patients, the hospital also treats those bitten by dogs, all of whom receive free medical care,” he added.

Minhazul Islam, who had received snakebite treatment at Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, said that he lives in Shariatpur Sadar, and was bitten by a snake on June 17, but was unsure which type of snake it was. 

His family panicked and brought him to Dhaka immediately. 

While in the ambulance, his father contacted several hospitals in Dhaka, but they all stated they did not treat snakebite patients. 

Through a family acquaintance, they learned about Sir Salimullah hospital, where he was eventually treated.

Minhazul further said: “I was not bitten by a venomous snake, but my family was still anxious and brought me to Dhaka for better treatment. We did not know that not all hospitals in Dhaka treat snakebite patients, and had a hard time finding the right hospital for treatment.”

Where is antivenom?

While antivenom is not available in many hospitals in Dhaka, it can be found in pharmacies near the hospitals, though at a high cost. 

At MH Medical Hall near Salimullah hospital, antivenom is available, with a 10-dose package costing Tk14,000. 

However, the pharmacy staff mentioned that they do not sell much antivenom and only stock it occasionally.

Dr Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, superintendent of Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, said the hospital does not have antivenom but have applied for it. 

He mentioned that he has been at the hospital for two months and has not seen any snakebite patients during that time. 

However, following the health minister’s directive, it is likely that all government hospitals will receive antivenom.

Aminul Islam Palash, personal assistant to the vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, confirmed that BSMMU does not have antivenom but discussions are ongoing following the health minister’s directive.

Dr Ariful Bashar, a senior consultant (medicine) at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Mohakhali, mentioned that the hospital usually treats patients bitten by dogs, cats, and foxes, and does not see many snakebite patients. Therefore, it does not provide snakebite treatment. 

However, since it has an ICU, it is planning to start treating snakebite patients and will apply to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for the necessary antivenom.

The DGHS Director General Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said that all upazila, district, and medical college hospitals have been provided with antivenom and are capable of treating snakebite patients. However, specialized hospitals have not been provided with antivenom.