Snakebite Interest Group on WhatsApp
On Sunday, 9th July 2015, my beloved junior Dr Sk Rajib called me over the phone from Dhoniyakhali Rural Hospital of Hoogly district of West Bengal at about 9.30 am. Dr Rajib wanted to draw my attention to a picture of a patient sent to me on WhatsApp (WA). Rajib informed me about a very interesting case of mysterious Common Krait (CK) bite admitted at his Rural Hospital. This incident triggered an idea to start a WA group for Snakebite case discussions.
Dr Rajib’s case deserves wide circulation among not only the medical community but also the regular public. The patient was a 40yrs old lady admitted with only complaints of pain in the abdomen on 7.7.2015 in the afternoon. Three doctors treated her in Dhoniyakhali RH in routine schedule of a common pain abdomen case. Third doctor had written the refer letter to send her to Burdwan Medical College for Ultra Sonographic examination. Dr Rajib was the 4th doctor to examine her. Dr Rajib had no doubt it was a case of CK bite. The only symptoms manifesting at that point was abdomen pain and bilateral Ptosis. He not just diagnosed the case accurately but confidently treated the snakebite victim at the Rural Hospital itself. He had started ASV infusion even before getting a response from me.
Like hundreds of my juniors who have my contact details after attending my workshop on Snakebite management in various institutions, Dr Rajib also had my number. He wanted my opinion as a confirmation to his diagnosis. So he made use of technology and got in touch via WA.
This incident prompted me to start the “Snakebite Interest Group”. Like any other initiative, this WA group also faced initial problems. Some people liked it, some others didn’t.
In the beginning, I had started this group with 60 people from my contact list. Though most of them were doctors, there were a few from other professions. We were all tied together by one common cause; “Snakebite”. There were junior doctors working in rural health centers and hospitals, a few senior doctors, some researchers and a few social activists who work for the cause of Snakebite mitigation. Two well-known reporters of Bengali daily Newspapers were also a part of the group right from its inception.
One of the reporters, Mr Biswajit Das of the Bartaman published an article on the WA group in his newspaper. This news article created much interest in the WA group and I started receiving requests from various people belonging to different professions to add them to the group. The maximum capacity that can be included in a WA group is 100. There were so many aspirants that I had to start a 2nd group due to popular demand.
Most of the junior doctors are very active in the group. They post Snakebite case details regularly, not only seeking advice from experienced seniors, but also to inform their field experience that comprised of success and failures. One important outcome of these discussions was that doctors at the referral centers were informed instantaneously, even before the referred patient reached the higher center. Such responses are crucial in a life death situation.
We were able to add legendary figures with snakebite treatment experience in our group. Dr Himmatrao Saluba Bawaskar and Dr Dilip Punde of Maharastra are in this group. Prof. Shyamal Kundu, HOD, Medicine Dept of B S Medical College is also an active member of this group.
We have doctors and Snakebite mitigation enthusiasts from six states in this group. Participants discuss not just Snakebite cases, but also Snake rescue, public awareness, mishandling of snakes, ASV quality and other matters pertaining to snakes and snakebites.
Many group members left us in the last 5-6 months, and many more have joined our initiative. I have gathered a lot of experience on human behavior and team management from this group. A few participants were initially very active and repeatedly requested me to retain them in the group; latter on these very people left the group abruptly.
Some advice from my experience of managing this WA group for those who may want to start a similar group; Never add any person on request from another person. Let each and every member join the group sending a request to the group admin.
Lastly, I would like to share a few pictures that were shared by our group members while discussing further line of treatment. The first two pictures were posted by Dr Sk Rajib. It depicts the CK patient having bilateral Ptosis. Second picture is of a Uro bag of a Krait bite patient treated at Basirhat Dist Hospital. Do note the dark colour of the urine. This condition is called hematuria. The third picture is of the Krait snake shared by Dr (Sr) Archana of Chhatrishgarh. The patient in this case suffered from coagulopathy after bite from this specimen.
Written by Dr Dayal Bandhu Majumdar
Priyanka Kadam
Jan 24, 2016 at 06:57 pmDear Dr Dayal Bandhu,
Your focused and unparalleled efforts are commendable. Creating the Whatsapp group has saved many lives since last year. We are inspired by your relentless efforts in motivating other doctors to take an interest in treating snakebite victims at the tertiary hospitals in West Bengal.
Sincere regards,
Priyanka Kadam.
Sovan sundar pal
Sep 15, 2016 at 06:13 pmCan a snakebite mother after recovery breastfeed her baby?
admin
Aug 08, 2019 at 02:29 pmyes
Sourav Sahoo
Apr 28, 2016 at 07:20 pmI am very interest this subject.
Chiranjit Paul
May 30, 2016 at 05:35 amI love this subject and really snake bite is a major problem . mainly rural areas. I think it’s a good approach for save snake bite.
I am very interested in this subject. So I think if you add me in your WhatsApp group. My pH no. 9804937893 . Chiranjit Paul
DEBASHIS BISWAS
Jun 07, 2016 at 06:43 amSir , I am very eager to join on your whatsapp group named snaked bite interest group . My whatsapp no. is +919933121737 . Pls . join me .
rupam bapary
Jun 12, 2016 at 04:23 amSome of my friends are associated with a snake rescue NGO, and I am also interested to know more about this subjects. Please join me
8697740040
Sarvesh
Jul 05, 2016 at 01:26 pmSir its great initiative it really save life of verious people .sir i have problem how to know whether the snake is venomous or non venomous ..is there some people who identify it…please add me to group so i can also spread awarness about the same ..my no 7875636692
Rajiv
Aug 05, 2016 at 07:50 amPlease add me to your whatsapp group
+917356911399
abhijit ray
Aug 12, 2016 at 05:28 pmI have great interest about snake.If you include my no9475480871 in your whats up group i will be highly obliged.
Sovan sundar pal,purba medinipur
Sep 15, 2016 at 06:11 pmCan a snakebite mother after recovery breastfeed her baby?
Nakul Jana
Oct 28, 2016 at 12:42 pmPlease spread the message of availability of compensation on death and injury from snake bite , available to the victims family from Govt which will help the family to survive and continue the medical treatment
Jigar maske
May 21, 2018 at 04:05 amHello sir I’m form ahmedabad
My work is reptiles rescue
Please add my number your whatsapp grup
8128396446 my name jigar maske
Sankar Sarkar
Oct 14, 2018 at 02:57 pmI want to join the whatsapp group with my mobile 9609655953
Rajan Salalia
Aug 02, 2019 at 03:08 amHello sir
Want to join your WhatsApp group for self knowledge and awareness to other please add
9419115830
RAJEEV Kukkal
Aug 02, 2019 at 08:12 amI want to join the whatsapp group with my mobile 8283900093
Dr Surajit Giri
Aug 02, 2019 at 12:27 pmGreetings
I am treating amd awaring public about snake bite.
Till now I have examined 165 patients of snake bite in 6 yrs.
Of them I have treated 14 patients with ASV.
Right now I am awaring public and society about scientific management of snake bite victims in villages and gardens with positive response.
I am from Sivasagar, Assam.
I am an Anaesthesiologist by profession.
Regards
admin
Aug 08, 2019 at 02:33 pmDear Dr Giri,
Please can you send me an email at priyanka@she-india.org and priyanka.sheindia@gmail.com along with your mobile. Would like to talk to you.
best wishes,
Priyanka Kadam
PANKAJ GUPTA
Aug 02, 2019 at 01:16 pmI am interested to join this group…please add me…am also a member of friends of snake society
manas dixit
Aug 02, 2019 at 03:51 pmsir, I am doctor manas and I am presently working in army medical corps. Sir, I have some experience in this field in both preventive and curative aspects being posted to some of the heavily snake-infested areas of the country. Will be glad to be a part of the team. My WhatsApp np. is 8299710047. thanks & regards.
Dr. Jai Kishan
Aug 03, 2019 at 02:20 amI want to become member of snake interest group. Thanks
Sadhana Khanolkar Parker
Aug 03, 2019 at 03:19 amMy native place is in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra . I visit the village every alternate month .I hear many stories of the reptiles being sighted or caught or people being bitten by them. By the time they arrive at the district hospital precious time elapsed.There is only one snake catcher in the entire village. Sometime he is also not available. I have always pondered on how to improve the situation.I feel bieng in contact with the specialist group will be of immense help to start with.kindly include me in the group. I am from Navi Mumbai, Nerul.
admin
Aug 08, 2019 at 02:35 pmSadhana Madam,
Apologies. The group is full to its capacity with doctors who can help in snakebite management. In case you need any help, you may write to me at priyanka@she-india.org
best wishes,
Priyanka Kadam.
Abhijit Bose
Aug 03, 2019 at 04:45 amI am a normal citizen of India, residing near Chandigarh. Can I join your WhatsApp group. My mobile number is 9034832061.
admin
Aug 08, 2019 at 02:36 pmSir,
Apologies. The group is full to its capacity with doctors who can help in snakebite management. In case you need any help, you may write to me at priyanka@she-india.org
best wishes,
Priyanka Kadam.
Surajit Giri
Sep 07, 2019 at 12:03 pmJust saw your response.Mailed you.Please check.
Regards
Dr Mrinmoy hazarika
Jun 29, 2022 at 08:10 pmSir I am from Lakhimpur and interested in your works. Please add me
Madhusudhan
Aug 03, 2019 at 07:27 amWe live on the outskirts of Bangalore and encounter snakes quite frequently in our compound. Hence need emergency contact numbers in South Bangalore. Thanks in advance. 9342234962.
admin
Aug 08, 2019 at 02:37 pmDear Madhusudan ji,
Our volunteer has already called you. I’m hoping your queries have been addressed.
sincerely,
Priyanka Kadam.
Madhusudhan
Aug 11, 2019 at 10:25 amThank you Priyanka ji,
Mr. Nagabushan had called and spoke to me for more than an hour. It was very useful and informative. He also gave me the nearest contact number too. Thanks for your timely response again.
Warm regards, Madhusudhan.
K faisal
Aug 03, 2019 at 09:29 amPls ad me un ur group
My whatsup no 9241112071
admin
Aug 08, 2019 at 02:39 pmApologies Faisal ji. This group is for clinicians and its full to its capacity. To add a new member, we have to delete an existing one. Do write to me and I will try addressing your query.
sincerely,
Priyanka Kadam.
Sarthak
Aug 03, 2019 at 06:00 pmAdd me on ‘snakebite interest group ‘whatsapp group 8369796602
admin
Aug 08, 2019 at 02:40 pmApologies Sartak ji. This group is for clinicians and its full to its capacity. To add a new member, we have to delete an existing one. Do write to me and I will try addressing your query.
sincerely,
Priyanka Kadam.
Aparva Meshram
Aug 28, 2019 at 07:35 amI Am Interest In This Topic
Please Can U Join Me In This With My Whatsapp Number 9673416765
Milan Majumdar
Jul 01, 2020 at 06:05 amThanks Sir for opening such forum. May I request you to please add in whats-app group.
Regards,Milan
9007023865
admin
Jul 08, 2020 at 11:49 amHello…We have already discussed this. WhatsApp allows only 257 members in a Group. This group is for clinical management of snakebites. The doctors are from 16 states. I’m a phone call away in case you need any assistance.
Priyanka Kadam.
Jigar Maske
Jul 01, 2020 at 06:22 amSir my name is jigar maske in Ahmedabad for snake rescue near by please add to my contact number this group 8128396446
admin
Jul 08, 2020 at 11:49 amHello…We have already discussed this. WhatsApp allows only 257 members in a Group. This group is for clinical management of snakebites. The doctors are from 16 states. I’m a phone call away in case you need any assistance.
Priyanka Kadam.
Muhammed Faisal P
Nov 01, 2022 at 02:35 pmsnake bote management to know poisonous or non poisous
kindly add me to yhe whatsapp group 7829272042