With close to 4 000 people being bitten by snakes in South Africa every year, concerns are being raised about the lack of antivenin at local hospitals.
The problem does not only affect snake bite victims in South Africa but extends to other countries on the African continent that South Africa supplies stock to including Senegal and Ghana.
Johan Marais, of the African Snakebite Institute, said people living in mostly rural and outer-lying areas are most at risk.
Marais said of the 4 000 snake bites reported annually, 12 to 24 people die while others often face loss of fingers, feet and hands, or serious tissue damage.
“The shortage has been an issue for the last three years. There have been various excuses given about why there is a shortage…
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Star South Africa (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2025-03-07