An article from Tony Battaini, Rotary Melbourne
The PNG snakebite project, an initiative of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, is making improvements in the prevention and treatment of snakebite at a grassroots level. By extending St John Emergency Services the project stretches the reach and effectiveness across more remote Regions and Provinces of PNG. Rotary’s contributions of equipment and first aid materials has directly assisted health workers in the field and led to lives saved and significantly improved outcomes for snakebite victims. 
Matt Wenham, David Guinn, Anna Schulze
and Kevin Buckby in PNG
and Kevin Buckby in PNG
In its 2022-30 Regional Action Plan, WHO identified snakebite as the world’s most under treated tropical disease, taking more lives in PNG each year than malaria and TB combined. Last year the Snakebite Partnership handled 582 snakebite cases, delivered 497 vials of antivenom to 40 health facilities across 14 provinces, trained 887 health workers in 13 provinces and visited 52 health facilities. Rotary Club of Melbourne’s donation enabled purchase of a Zoll mobile ventilator for use in ambulances transferring snakebite victims from Kwikila District Hospital to Port Moresby General Hospital. Despite administration of antivenom, some patients die during the difficult three-hour journey. Intubation using the RCM funded mobile ventilator saves several lives, drastically lessens time in intensive care for most victims and reduces cases of permanent disablement. Further, the Zoll equipment enabled accreditation training in mobile intubation for clinical staff and specialist paramedics.
Kate Datson, St John Emergency Services Project Lead, PNG Snakebite Partnership, addressed Rotary Melbourne’s lunch on 4 February. Kate spoke about the challenges faced in delivering effective prevention and treatment services in a country with limited infrastructure and one of the highest mortality rates from snakebite globally. Kate related her hands-on experience using the Rotary supplied Zoll mobile ventilator to intubate snakebite victims in transfer to Port Moresby General Hospital. In the last 12 months Rotary’s ventilator was used 45 times, in several cases saving a life.
Snakes in PNG, especially the coastal taipan, are amongst the most lethal in the world. In PNG the death rate following envenoming is almost 100%, unless correct first aid and antivenom are available. Over 1,000 snakebite deaths are recorded annually in PNG, but Kate says the true number is closer to 3,000. That is also the estimate from the WHO. Kate highlighted the great success of the RCM funded community awareness programs, so far delivered to over 1,500 school children and 500 adults. To date around 600 compression bandages have been distributed to elders, who are trained in their use. Wherever training occurs the incidence of incorrect procedures, such as torniquets and scarification, virtually ceases. When correct first aid procedures are followed, time is gained to source antivenom.
Snakebite is a global problem and a priority for RI President Elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola. At his request, Yinka has received information concerning the work done by the PNG Snakebite Partnership and RCM’s contribution. Kate’s key message was positive. Anything Rotary does to “close the gap” in resourcing the Snakebite Partnership’s needs has a direct impact on lives saved. There remains much to do.
Flip chart illustration methods of treating snakebit
Training Health Workers