Our Work

Snakebite is a public health challenge that impacts millions of people globally per year. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared snakebite as a neglected tropical disease and in 2019, a WHO-led global, strategic plan for control and prevention of snakebite was created to reduce deaths and disabilities from snakebite by half by 2030. The success of this target relies on the collection of accurate reporting of snakebite incidences but also prevention measures implemented in local communities. To gain a better perspective of community experiences, the Snakebite Community Engagement Network (SCEN) was formed in partnership with Health Action International (HAI). The aim of the Network is to contribute towards the 2030 target by engaging with community experts from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC’s) of the world and provide a coordinated response to reduce snakebite incidences.

The aim of the Network is to contribute towards the 2030 target by engaging with community experts from low- and middle-income regions of the world and provide a coordinated response to reduce snakebite incidences. Current evidence suggests that snakebite is underreported, and communities lack support in treating and managing snakebite incidences. Education and prevention measures that are currently in place are at a small scale and funding is required to expand such initiatives. To successfully mitigate snakebite incidences, the network requires the financial and advocacy support from governments and other local stakeholders to promote community awareness and empower community members. Snakebite incidences can be mitigated but this requires input from stakeholders and community experts from around the world. The work of our member is falls into the following six areas of expertise.