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The Hindu Editorial • April 27, 2026 • Read Original

Tough call: On India and snakebites

India needs to develop rapid venom detection diagnostics

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The Hindu Read Original
8 min read

Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on April 27, 2026

Tough call: On India and snakebites

India needs to develop rapid venom detection diagnostics

Snakebites in IndiaKerala HealthICMRAnti-Snake Venom (ASV)Rapid DiagnosticsPublic Health
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 18
English Original

A combination of snakes being ectothermic, a hotter summer than usual, difficult decision-making, and gaps in clinical infrastructure has led to a situation in Kerala where the availability of anti-snake venom (ASV) has not been able to prevent all deaths from snakebites.

Present Perfect S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
A combination of snakes being ectothermic, a hotter summer than usual, difficult decision-making, and gaps in clinical infrastructure
Four factors joining together: snake nature, high heat, doctor’s confusion, and lack of hospital facilities
Verb What is happening
has led
Has resulted in or caused something to happen
Object What receives action
to a situation in Kerala
Toward a particular state of affairs in the state of Kerala
Adjunct Additional info
where the availability of anti-snake venom (ASV) has not been able to prevent all deaths from snakebites
In this case, just having the medicine was not enough to save every person who was bitten
Context and Background
Snakebite Management in Kerala

Kerala has some of the highest human-snake encounter rates in India due to its dense vegetation and high population density. While Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) is widely available in government hospitals, factors like lack of ventilator support in rural hospitals and delays in seeking medical help often contribute to fatalities. The state recently made snakebite a ‘notifiable disease’ to improve data collection and treatment protocols.

Sentence 2 of 18
English Original

Snakes are driven by the heat to seek refuge in cool, damp spaces, which means homes and storerooms with firewood and coconut husks.

Simple Present Passive S + V + Adjunct + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Snakes
The reptiles being discussed
Verb What is happening
are driven
Are forced or motivated to act in a certain way
Adjunct Additional info
by the heat
Because of the high temperature
Adjunct Additional info
to seek refuge in cool, damp spaces
To find a safe and comfortable place away from the sun
Adjunct Additional info
which means homes and storerooms with firewood and coconut husks
Explaining that these cool places are often houses or storage areas where wood and coconut shells are kept
Sentence 3 of 18
English Original

The State is also densely vegetated with substantial human-wildlife range overlap.

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The State
The state of Kerala
Verb What is happening
is
Exist in a certain state or condition
Complement Completes meaning
also densely vegetated
Has a lot of thick plants, trees and greenery
Adjunct Additional info
with substantial human-wildlife range overlap
Meaning humans and wild animals live very close to each other in the same space
Sentence 4 of 18
English Original

April-May is also the pre-monsoon breeding season for many venomous snakes, which means that they move around more and tend to be defensive.

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
April-May
The specific months being discussed
Verb What is happening
is
Represent or act as
Complement Completes meaning
also the pre-monsoon breeding season for many venomous snakes
The time before the rains when many poisonous snakes mate and have babies
Adjunct Additional info
which means that they move around more and tend to be defensive
Because it is their breeding time, they travel more and try to protect themselves if disturbed
Sentence 5 of 18
English Original

However, about 70% of snakebite presentations involve non-venomous species, and roughly half of the rest are dry bites with no venom injected.

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + O + S + V + C Main Clauses Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
However
Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict what has been said previously
Subject Who/What
about 70% of snakebite presentations
Out of 100 people who come to the hospital with a snake bite, 70 of them
Verb What is happening
involve
To include or consist of
Object What receives action
non-venomous species
Types of snakes that do not have poison
Subject Who/What
and roughly half of the rest
Among the 30% that are bitten by poisonous snakes, about half of those people
Verb What is happening
are
To be in a state or condition
Complement Completes meaning
dry bites with no venom injected
Bites from poisonous snakes where they do not release any poison into the body
Sentence 6 of 18
English Original

A substantial number of patients thus do not warrant ASV.

Simple Present S + Adjunct + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
A substantial number of patients
A large group of people who go to the hospital for snake bites
Adjunct Additional info
thus
As a result of the facts just mentioned
Verb What is happening
do not warrant
Do not need or require a particular treatment
Object What receives action
ASV
The anti-snake venom medicine
Sentence 7 of 18
English Original

Caution against administering ASV willy-nilly is merited because these compounds can also induce anaphylactic reactions, which can be fatal.

Simple Present S + V + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Caution against administering ASV willy-nilly
Being careful not to give the snakebite medicine to everyone without checking properly
Verb What is happening
is merited
Is justified or necessary under the circumstances
Adjunct Additional info
because these compounds can also induce anaphylactic reactions, which can be fatal
Since the medicine itself can sometimes cause a very dangerous allergic reaction that could kill the patient
Sentence 8 of 18
English Original

At the same time, there is no commercially available diagnostic kit in India to detect venom in a patient’s blood, and the diagnosis is entirely symptomatic.

Simple Present Adjunct + V + S + and + S + V + C Main Clauses Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
At the same time
Simultaneously; considering another important fact alongside the previous one
Verb What is happening
there is
Exists (used here to say something does NOT exist)
Subject Who/What
no commercially available diagnostic kit in India to detect venom in a patient’s blood
India does not have a tool that doctors can buy and use to quickly check if there is snake poison in a person’s blood
Subject Who/What
and the diagnosis
The way doctors identify if someone has been poisoned by a snake
Verb What is happening
is
Is in the state of
Complement Completes meaning
entirely symptomatic
Doctors have to guess based only on the signs they see on the patient’s body (like swelling or pain)
Sentence 9 of 18
English Original

The ICMR has called this syndromic approach a systemic flaw, since by the time symptoms appear, the venom may already have damaged tissue irreversibly.

Present Perfect S + V + O + C + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The ICMR
The top government body in India for medical research
Verb What is happening
has called
Has described or named something in a particular way
Object What receives action
this syndromic approach
The method of treating patients based only on the signs/symptoms they show
Complement Completes meaning
a systemic flaw
A fundamental mistake or weakness in the entire healthcare system
Adjunct Additional info
since by the time symptoms appear, the venom may already have damaged tissue irreversibly
Because poison works fast; by the time a person looks sick, the damage inside their body may already be permanent
Context and Background
ICMR and Snakebite Protocols

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India’s apex body for biomedical research. It has been advocating for upgrading snakebite protocols from ‘syndromic management’ to more precise ‘diagnostic-based management’. This transition requires point-of-care test kits that can detect even small amounts of venom rapidly, similar to a pregnancy test or a rapid COVID test.

Sentence 10 of 18
English Original

Together with scarce ICU beds, a lack of ventilator backups, inadequate training in managing anaphylaxis, and limited lab support for monitoring, this approach has offset the benefits of the availability of ASV.

Present Perfect Adjunct + S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Together with scarce ICU beds, a lack of ventilator backups, inadequate training in managing anaphylaxis, and limited lab support for monitoring
Along with other problems like missing hospital beds, breathing machines, poor doctor training, and lack of testing labs
Subject Who/What
this approach
The current method of waiting for symptoms before giving medicine
Verb What is happening
has offset
Has canceled out or wasted the good effects of something else
Object What receives action
the benefits of the availability of ASV
The advantages of having the snakebite medicine ready for use
Sentence 11 of 18
English Original

India accounts for nearly half of all snakebites in the world, with agricultural workers and children being the worst affected.

Simple Present S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
India
The nation we are talking about
Verb What is happening
accounts for
Is responsible for or makes up a certain amount
Object What receives action
nearly half of all snakebites in the world
Close to 50% of people bitten by snakes globally are in India
Adjunct Additional info
with agricultural workers and children being the worst affected
Highlighting that people working in fields and young kids suffer the most from these bites
Sentence 12 of 18
English Original

Kerala is home to over 100 snake species, including the Big Four venomous snakes: the common krait, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, and spectacled cobra.

Simple Present S + V + C Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Kerala
The South Indian state being discussed
Verb What is happening
is
Existing as
Complement Completes meaning
home to over 100 snake species, including the Big Four venomous snakes: the common krait, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, and spectacled cobra
Kerala is a place where many types of snakes live, including the four most dangerous ones in India
Context and Background
The

The ‘Big Four’ refers to the Indian Cobra, Common Krait, Russell’s Viper, and Saw-scaled Viper. Most Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) in India is ‘polyvalent’, meaning it is designed specifically to neutralize the venom of these four species. However, experts note that India has other dangerous species too, for which this standard ASV might not be effective.

Sentence 13 of 18
English Original

The State government has made snakebite a notifiable disease.

Present Perfect S + V + O + C Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The State government
The ruling body of the province
Verb What is happening
has made
Has officially decided that something will be in a new category
Object What receives action
snakebite
The injury caused by a snake’s bite
Complement Completes meaning
a notifiable disease
A sickness that must be reported to the government whenever it happens, so they can keep records and help patients better
Sentence 14 of 18
English Original

It launched the ‘SARPA’ programme to professionalise snake rescue.

Simple Past S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
It
The state government
Verb What is happening
launched
Started or introduced a new plan or app
Object What receives action
the ‘SARPA’ programme
A specific programme named SARPA (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App)
Adjunct Additional info
to professionalise snake rescue
To make sure that people who catch snakes are well-trained and follow safe rules
Sentence 15 of 18
English Original

The SARPA Padam and the upcoming SARPA Suraksha programmes also focus on assessing risk and conducting ward-level and school awareness campaigns.

Simple Present S + Adjunct + V + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The SARPA Padam and the upcoming SARPA Suraksha programmes
Two specific educational and safety initiatives by the state
Adjunct Additional info
also
In addition to other activities
Verb What is happening
focus
Give priority or center their work around
Adjunct Additional info
on assessing risk and conducting ward-level and school awareness campaigns
On checking how dangerous an area is and teaching people in local areas and schools how to stay safe from snakes
Sentence 16 of 18
English Original

In coordination with the Health Department, it has worked to standardise and improve snakebite treatment across the State.

Present Perfect Adjunct + S + V + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
In coordination with the Health Department
Working together with the government’s medical and health office
Subject Who/What
it
The program or agency mentioned earlier
Verb What is happening
has worked
Has spent time and effort to achieve something
Adjunct Additional info
to standardise and improve snakebite treatment across the State
To make sure every hospital in the state follows the same good rules for treating snake bites
Sentence 17 of 18
English Original

While the State is making great strides in snakebite management, one can only hope it finds the resources to plug the diagnostic and public health-care infrastructure gaps, and serve as a template for other States too.

Complex (Present Continuous + Modal) Adjunct + S + V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clauses Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
While the State is making great strides in snakebite management
Even though the state is doing a very good job currently at handling snake bites
Subject Who/What
one
Any person or observer
Verb What is happening
can only hope
Can just wish for a good result
Object What receives action
it finds the resources to plug the diagnostic and public health-care infrastructure gaps, and serve as a template for other States too
That the government gets the money and tools needed to fix the lack of tests and hospital equipment, so it can be a perfect example for other states in India
Sentence 18 of 18
English Original

But such efforts also call for wholehearted public participation.

Simple Present S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
such efforts
The government’s plans and programs mentioned earlier
Verb What is happening
call for
Need or require something to be successful
Object What receives action
wholehearted public participation
Common people joining in and helping with all their heart and spirit
Sentence 1 of 18
Sentence 1 of 18
A combination of snakes being ectothermic, a hotter summer than usual, difficult decision-making, and gaps in clinical infrastructure has led to a situation in Kerala where the availability of anti-snake venom (ASV) has not been able to prevent all deaths from snakebites.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
A combination of snakes being ectothermic, a hotter summer than usual, difficult decision-making, and gaps in clinical infrastructure
Four factors joining together: snake nature, high heat, doctor’s confusion, and lack of hospital facilities
Verb
has led
Has resulted in or caused something to happen
Object
to a situation in Kerala
Toward a particular state of affairs in the state of Kerala
Adjunct
where the availability of anti-snake venom (ASV) has not been able to prevent all deaths from snakebites
In this case, just having the medicine was not enough to save every person who was bitten
Sentence 2 of 18
Snakes are driven by the heat to seek refuge in cool, damp spaces, which means homes and storerooms with firewood and coconut husks.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Snakes
The reptiles being discussed
Verb
are driven
Are forced or motivated to act in a certain way
Adjunct
by the heat
Because of the high temperature
Adjunct
to seek refuge in cool, damp spaces
To find a safe and comfortable place away from the sun
Adjunct
which means homes and storerooms with firewood and coconut husks
Explaining that these cool places are often houses or storage areas where wood and coconut shells are kept
Sentence 3 of 18
The State is also densely vegetated with substantial human-wildlife range overlap.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The State
The state of Kerala
Verb
is
Exist in a certain state or condition
Complement
also densely vegetated
Has a lot of thick plants, trees and greenery
Adjunct
with substantial human-wildlife range overlap
Meaning humans and wild animals live very close to each other in the same space
Sentence 4 of 18
April-May is also the pre-monsoon breeding season for many venomous snakes, which means that they move around more and tend to be defensive.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
April-May
The specific months being discussed
Verb
is
Represent or act as
Complement
also the pre-monsoon breeding season for many venomous snakes
The time before the rains when many poisonous snakes mate and have babies
Adjunct
which means that they move around more and tend to be defensive
Because it is their breeding time, they travel more and try to protect themselves if disturbed
Sentence 5 of 18
However, about 70% of snakebite presentations involve non-venomous species, and roughly half of the rest are dry bites with no venom injected.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
However
Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict what has been said previously
Subject
about 70% of snakebite presentations
Out of 100 people who come to the hospital with a snake bite, 70 of them
Verb
involve
To include or consist of
Object
non-venomous species
Types of snakes that do not have poison
Subject
and roughly half of the rest
Among the 30% that are bitten by poisonous snakes, about half of those people
Verb
are
To be in a state or condition
Complement
dry bites with no venom injected
Bites from poisonous snakes where they do not release any poison into the body
Sentence 6 of 18
A substantial number of patients thus do not warrant ASV.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
A substantial number of patients
A large group of people who go to the hospital for snake bites
Adjunct
thus
As a result of the facts just mentioned
Verb
do not warrant
Do not need or require a particular treatment
Object
ASV
The anti-snake venom medicine
Sentence 7 of 18
Caution against administering ASV willy-nilly is merited because these compounds can also induce anaphylactic reactions, which can be fatal.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Caution against administering ASV willy-nilly
Being careful not to give the snakebite medicine to everyone without checking properly
Verb
is merited
Is justified or necessary under the circumstances
Adjunct
because these compounds can also induce anaphylactic reactions, which can be fatal
Since the medicine itself can sometimes cause a very dangerous allergic reaction that could kill the patient
Sentence 8 of 18
At the same time, there is no commercially available diagnostic kit in India to detect venom in a patient’s blood, and the diagnosis is entirely symptomatic.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
At the same time
Simultaneously; considering another important fact alongside the previous one
Verb
there is
Exists (used here to say something does NOT exist)
Subject
no commercially available diagnostic kit in India to detect venom in a patient’s blood
India does not have a tool that doctors can buy and use to quickly check if there is snake poison in a person’s blood
Subject
and the diagnosis
The way doctors identify if someone has been poisoned by a snake
Verb
is
Is in the state of
Complement
entirely symptomatic
Doctors have to guess based only on the signs they see on the patient’s body (like swelling or pain)
Sentence 9 of 18
The ICMR has called this syndromic approach a systemic flaw, since by the time symptoms appear, the venom may already have damaged tissue irreversibly.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The ICMR
The top government body in India for medical research
Verb
has called
Has described or named something in a particular way
Object
this syndromic approach
The method of treating patients based only on the signs/symptoms they show
Complement
a systemic flaw
A fundamental mistake or weakness in the entire healthcare system
Adjunct
since by the time symptoms appear, the venom may already have damaged tissue irreversibly
Because poison works fast; by the time a person looks sick, the damage inside their body may already be permanent
Sentence 10 of 18
Together with scarce ICU beds, a lack of ventilator backups, inadequate training in managing anaphylaxis, and limited lab support for monitoring, this approach has offset the benefits of the availability of ASV.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Together with scarce ICU beds, a lack of ventilator backups, inadequate training in managing anaphylaxis, and limited lab support for monitoring
Along with other problems like missing hospital beds, breathing machines, poor doctor training, and lack of testing labs
Subject
this approach
The current method of waiting for symptoms before giving medicine
Verb
has offset
Has canceled out or wasted the good effects of something else
Object
the benefits of the availability of ASV
The advantages of having the snakebite medicine ready for use
Sentence 11 of 18
India accounts for nearly half of all snakebites in the world, with agricultural workers and children being the worst affected.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
India
The nation we are talking about
Verb
accounts for
Is responsible for or makes up a certain amount
Object
nearly half of all snakebites in the world
Close to 50% of people bitten by snakes globally are in India
Adjunct
with agricultural workers and children being the worst affected
Highlighting that people working in fields and young kids suffer the most from these bites
Sentence 12 of 18
Kerala is home to over 100 snake species, including the Big Four venomous snakes: the common krait, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, and spectacled cobra.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Kerala
The South Indian state being discussed
Verb
is
Existing as
Complement
home to over 100 snake species, including the Big Four venomous snakes: the common krait, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, and spectacled cobra
Kerala is a place where many types of snakes live, including the four most dangerous ones in India
Sentence 13 of 18
The State government has made snakebite a notifiable disease.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The State government
The ruling body of the province
Verb
has made
Has officially decided that something will be in a new category
Object
snakebite
The injury caused by a snake’s bite
Complement
a notifiable disease
A sickness that must be reported to the government whenever it happens, so they can keep records and help patients better
Sentence 14 of 18
It launched the ‘SARPA’ programme to professionalise snake rescue.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
The state government
Verb
launched
Started or introduced a new plan or app
Object
the ‘SARPA’ programme
A specific programme named SARPA (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App)
Adjunct
to professionalise snake rescue
To make sure that people who catch snakes are well-trained and follow safe rules
Sentence 15 of 18
The SARPA Padam and the upcoming SARPA Suraksha programmes also focus on assessing risk and conducting ward-level and school awareness campaigns.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The SARPA Padam and the upcoming SARPA Suraksha programmes
Two specific educational and safety initiatives by the state
Adjunct
also
In addition to other activities
Verb
focus
Give priority or center their work around
Adjunct
on assessing risk and conducting ward-level and school awareness campaigns
On checking how dangerous an area is and teaching people in local areas and schools how to stay safe from snakes
Sentence 16 of 18
In coordination with the Health Department, it has worked to standardise and improve snakebite treatment across the State.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In coordination with the Health Department
Working together with the government’s medical and health office
Subject
it
The program or agency mentioned earlier
Verb
has worked
Has spent time and effort to achieve something
Adjunct
to standardise and improve snakebite treatment across the State
To make sure every hospital in the state follows the same good rules for treating snake bites
Sentence 17 of 18
While the State is making great strides in snakebite management, one can only hope it finds the resources to plug the diagnostic and public health-care infrastructure gaps, and serve as a template for other States too.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
While the State is making great strides in snakebite management
Even though the state is doing a very good job currently at handling snake bites
Subject
one
Any person or observer
Verb
can only hope
Can just wish for a good result
Object
it finds the resources to plug the diagnostic and public health-care infrastructure gaps, and serve as a template for other States too
That the government gets the money and tools needed to fix the lack of tests and hospital equipment, so it can be a perfect example for other states in India
Sentence 18 of 18
But such efforts also call for wholehearted public participation.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
such efforts
The government’s plans and programs mentioned earlier
Verb
call for
Need or require something to be successful
Object
wholehearted public participation
Common people joining in and helping with all their heart and spirit

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Snakebite Management in India

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about systemic flaws in India's snakebite management and the need for rapid diagnostics.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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