Clement Tsabedze’s experience with a black mamba highlights the importance of antivenom in Eswatini, where snakebites remain a serious issue. The Eswatini Antivenom Foundation educates communities on seeking medical treatment, emphasizing the shift from traditional remedies. The introduction of EchiTAb-Plus-ICP antivenom has significantly improved treatment outcomes, with zero fatalities reported in the current snakebite season. However, collaboration with traditional healers remains necessary to bridge cultural gaps in medicine.
In Siphocosini, Eswatini, Clement Tsabedze’s near-fatal encounter with a black mamba underscores the critical role of timely access to antivenom. Following his snakebite, Tsabedze realized that modern medicine was indispensable for his survival. He emphasizes the need for community education on trusting Western medicine and seeking immediate help in the event of a snakebite.
Eswatini faces between 200 and 400 serious snakebite cases annually, classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO). The country’s subtropical environment fosters venomous species, including the black mamba and puff adder, which pose significant risks to locals. Traditional remedies, while culturally significant, often fail to effectively counter snake venom.
The Eswatini Antivenom Foundation, led by Thea Litschka-Koen, has taken initiative to educate remote communities about the importance of swift medical treatment for snakebites. Litschka-Koen acknowledges the challenge of altering long-standing beliefs while building trust within these communities, particularly among traditional healers.
Remarkably, the 2023-2024 snakebite season recorded zero fatalities, coinciding with the introduction of EchiTAb-Plus-ICP, a polyvalent antivenom effective against multiple snake species. Philip Price, scientific director at EchiTAb-Plus-ICP, highlighted that this antivenom was a result of collaboration with Costa Rica’s Clodomiro Picado Research Institute since 2017, overcoming prior challenges including sourcing snake venom.
Despite advancements, the Eswatini Antivenom Foundation faces barriers in persuading traditional healers to refer patients for medical treatment, with traditional medicine holding cultural importance. Makhanya Makhanya, the president of the Witchdoctors Association, advocates for cooperation, recognizing that collaboration can enhance treatment approaches but acknowledges existing skepticism towards traditional practices from the formal medical community.
The efforts to enhance the use of antivenom in Eswatini signify a transformative step in addressing snakebite fatalities. Educational initiatives led by the Eswatini Antivenom Foundation have fostered community awareness about the necessity of swift medical care. Moreover, the introduction of EchiTAb-Plus-ICP antivenom showcases advancements in treatment efficacy. While challenges remain in integrating traditional and modern medicine, mutual cooperation could bolster overall healthcare responses to snakebites in the region.
Original Source: www.scidev.net
