Snakeathon Project

The Snakeathon Project provides an integrated solution to help snakebite victims. It includes the Mono-wheel Ambulance, an innovative stretcher for quickly transporting snakebite victims across harsh jungle terrain. It can be attached to a cycle to provide last-mile transport to hospitals or healthcare centers.

Background

50% of the snakebite cases in the world take place only in India. Snakebites kill more than 50,000 people yearly in India, and 3 of 4 snakebite victims die due to inability in reaching a hospital (Million Death Study).

Up to 10 people die every day due to snakebites, in the Thane district of Maharashtra. During the monsoon season, snakes are driven out of the natural habitat, causing the death toll to rise to 20 people a day. Over 40,000 people die over the course of each monsoon season in India.

It is mostly the male members (the breadwinners) of the family who die, making it very difficult for affected families to survive. Moreover, 3 of 4 victims die only because they were unable to reach a hospital in time, due to lack of roads in rural areas.

ABOUT THE SNAKEBITE SCENARIO

Mono-wheel Ambulance

The mono-wheel ambulance is a stretcher that can be carried by hand or attached to a bicycle, to transport snakebite victims quickly to nearby hospitals. The ambulance is designed for off-road usage, and is ideal for areas that lack roads and vehicles.

The ambulance includes a low-power portable ventilator to provide respiratory support to the victim. Its single-wheel design enables transport on rough and jungle terrain, and the design has been patented in order to protect it from commercial interests.

ABOUT THE MONOWHEEL AMBULANCE

Snakeathon Ambulance Kit

Supervasi has developed the Snakeathon Ambulance Kit, an innovative set of relief measures for snakebite victims, especially those in remote regions of India. The kit will be distributed for free, to as many villages as funding permits.

Mono-wheel ambulance

A stretcher that can be carried by hand or attached to a bicycle

Portable ventilator

A safe and low-power mechanical ventilator for the victim.

First-aid kit

Supplies and medicines to delay the effects of the venom.

Wearable leg covers

Leg coverings that can be worn over the regular footwair.

Humane snake traps

Captures snakes without harming them, to be released in forests.

Educational material

First-aid Instructions in multiple indian languages.

ABOUT OUR IMPLEMENTATION

In the news

"The NGO has developed a mono-wheel ambulance suited for rough and rocky terrain and a portable low/no power ventilator that can be used in villages with no electricity. It urged for for direction to the government to set up an emergency team to organize logistics and funding to help deliver snake-bite kits to all affected persons."

– The Times of India
HC notice to Maharashtra government on relief for snake-bite victims, Jun 9, 2014

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