One hundred and thirty health workers throughout Papua New Guinea now have proper knowledge on treating snakebite victims.
They are participants of a snakebite course conducted recently by Charles Campbell Toxinology Centre.
The course was basically to bring doctors, nurses and health care workers up to date with the latest information on the prevention, first aid and treatment of snakebite, and the opportunity to practice a range of practical skills including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support.
The training is important given this being the snakebite season (Dec-April) and a shortage of snake anti-venom in rural health centres means patients may have to travel for hours to reach a facility with the lifesaving drug.
“So it is imperative that the health care community are suitably skilled to deal with snakebite and also that they are all involved in educating their communities about steps they can take to avoid and prevent the incidence of snakebite; correct first aid for snakebite; do’s and don’ts regarding snakes and snakebite first aid, etc.,” said Diana Barr, Technical Support Officer, PNG Snakebite Project at the University of Melbourne.
The course included lectures, practical sessions, question time and discussions, written and practical exams, an inspection of the CCTC snakebite ambulance, presentation of a certificate and CD containing all the lecture notes.
“We were thrilled to have such a large attendance and it was a pleasure to teach such enthusiastic participants who are now on a mission to share their knowledge within their communities as well as within their health care facilities,” Barr added.
This particular course is conducted every 2 years.
CCTC also travels to rural communities to provide community based education and also other training courses for health care workers.