Ghana has recorded a staggering 59,600 snakebite cases between 2015 and 2020, with an average of 9,900 cases reported annually.
This data was revealed for the first time, shedding light on the prevalence of snakebites in the country.
According to Dr Joseph Opare, the Programme Manager of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) at the Ghana Health Service, the majority of snakebite cases were higher in males compared to females. The average number of snakebites per year was 5,600 for males and 4,300 for females.
Snakebite is categorized as one of the 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO), with Ghana being endemic to 14 NTDs.
More people reportedly succumb to venomous snakebites each year than Ebola, making snakebite envenoming a serious public health concern, especially in low and middle-income countries.
In Ghana, snakebites mainly affect individuals in farming, hunting, fishing, and rural communities, with the Upper West, Ashanti, and Eastern regions recording the highest number of bites.
To address the mortality and morbidity associated with snakebites, the Ghana Health Service has implemented measures to enhance surveillance and provide sufficient antivenoms.
The newly launched African Snakebite Alliance (ASA) Ghana aims to revolutionize snakebite research by connecting international scientific communities with local policymakers and stakeholders.
Dr John H. Amuasi, the Principal Investigator of ASA, highlighted the organization’s objectives, which include conducting high-quality research on snakebites and supporting African countries in incorporating research evidence into health policies.
Despite the availability of effective treatments for snakebites, the lack of access to antivenoms in regions where they are needed poses a significant challenge.
Regulatory capacity for antivenoms in countries with high snakebite occurrences is also limited, hampering efforts to assess the quality and appropriateness of available antivenoms.
The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, emphasized that most snakebite cases in Ghana occur during the major and minor farming seasons.
Dr Hafez Adam Taher, the acting Director of the Technical Coordination Directorate at the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the neglect of snakebite as a predominant NTD, despite being covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The issue of snakebite envenoming continues to pose a significant health risk in Ghana, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to address this overlooked public health concern.
