Mulling Over Including Snake Bite As Notifiable Disease Under Public Health Act: State Tells Kerala High Court

The Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen was dealing with the issue of basic care pursuant to snake bites in school children. The Court noted that a circular issued by the Additional Director of General Education of General Education has placed the burden of dealing with such casualties solely on the school authorities.

As per the circular, the school is required to take a thorough safety audit of the entire infrastructure. Each school has to prepare and display a Child Emergency Response Plan outlining the steps to be taken in case of sudden medical emergencies. The school should co-ordinate with the nearest Primary Health Centre or Taluk Hospital to ensure availability of anti-venom and pediatric medical care in critical situation. The school is entrusted with maintaining an updated list of hospitals with anti-venom facilities. The school is also entrusted with coordinating with the Forest Department to identify and engage authorized snake catchers/ handlers for emergency snake removal operations.

The Court noted that though the circular places responsibility on the school, there is no sufficient guidance given to school in dealing with snake bites. The Court said that most of the responsibilities are placed on the school alone as the circular was issued by Additional Director of General Education. The Court observed that for the effective implementation of the circular involvement of Local Self-Government Department, Health Department and Forest Department of the State was necessary.

The Court said that the State should at least prepare a model plan laying out the minimum requirements based on which the schools can formulate their Child Emergency Medical Response Plan. The Court added that nodal officer has to be designated for each district who is aware of the current stock position of the anti-venom. The helpline number of such officer can be provided to all schools.

The Court was informed that a new circular was issued by Director of General Education seeking the help of Health Services Department, Forest Department and Local Self Government Department. The Court directed both these circulars to be placed before the State Chief Secretary seeking inputs from the Local Self Government Department, Health Department and Forest Department to formulate a plan with the active involvement of the three departments.

Case Title: Kulathoor Jaisingh v State of Kerala and Others

Case No: WP(C) 32493 of 2019