The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs has been raising awareness among farmers about snakebites, hosting a training session on Wednesday, a day before the launch of the snakebite management service under Universal Health Care (UHC).
The initiative aimed to equip local farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage snakebite situations.
According to Dr Alicia Eugene-Forde, Director of UHC within the Ministry of Health, the activities are part of an ongoing education process.
“We have to ensure that we educate the public to prevent them from actually getting snake bites and also to let them know that if they get bitten by a snake what would be offered to them under UHC at the nearest hospitals, which would be St Judes and OKEU,” Dr Eugene-Forde said.
She noted that the Ministry of Health is collaborating with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Agriculture, range officers, and fire and emergency services for public sensitisation.
“We are also working with the hospitals under the Ministry of Health…. They are reviewing their standard operating procedures, looking at key performance indicators at the hospitals to make sure that when persons get across they get quality care because UHC is about accessibility, affordability and quality care,” Dr Eugene-Forde explained.
The UHC package, provided at no cost to snakebite victims, will cover anti-venom, painkillers, antibiotics, lab tests, x-rays, hospitalisation costs, surgery, and outpatient reviews.
Farmer Clement Faucher, who attended the Wednesday session, said it was very informative.
“This will go a long way in helping us to protect ourselves to guard [against] snake bites and [educate us on] if we were to get bitten by a snake what to do and how to receive care,” he told St Lucia Times, noting the prevalence of snakes in the Millet area where his farm is located.
Snakebites are not very common in Saint Lucia. Annually, eight to ten are recorded from the fer-de-lance, the only venomous snake found here.
