India suffers a huge snakebite crisis, killing about 50,000 people every year—half of all deaths worldwide. Devendra, a farmer, lost his leg after a snake bit him and he reached the hospital too late. Many face similar fates due to delays in treatment. The federal government estimates up to 1.2 million deaths from 2000 to 2019. A new report by Global Snakebite Taskforce (GST) reveals that 99% of healthcare workers in India find it hard to give antivenom, the key treatment for snakebite. The report surveyed 904 medical staff in India and other countries badly hit by snakebite. Major problems include poor hospital infrastructure, limited antivenom stocks, and lack of proper training. Nearly half said delays caused serious harm—amputations, surgeries, or lasting disabilities. The World Health Organization calls snakebite a "highest priority neglected tropical disease." It affects mostly poor rural communities. In India, central and eastern states report the most deaths, with farm workers and tribal groups at highest risk, says Dr. Yogesh Jain of GST. In 2024, India launched the National Action Plan to cut snakebite deaths by 50% by 2030. This plan aims to improve tracking, antivenom supply, healthcare training, and public awareness. But execution remains patchy. Jain says, "In India, snakebites are seen as a poor person's problem," which limits action. He stresses, "When it comes to treating snakebites, every second counts." Venom spreads fast, causing paralysis or organ failure without quick antivenom. Yet rural patients often reach hospitals late due to poor roads and no ambulances. One tragic case in Gujarat saw a pregnant woman die after being carried 5 km because no vehicle could reach her village. Some states now stock antivenom at local clinics. But many health workers fear side effects and lack skills to safely give it. Also, many victims first visit faith healers and reach hospitals too late. Gerry Martin from The Liana Trust points out another issue: India’s antivenom targets only the “big four” venomous snakes. Many other deadly snakes, like green pit vipers and Malabar pit vipers, have no specific antivenom. A recent study by AIIMS Jodhpur found two-thirds of patients bitten by saw-scaled vipers did not respond well to current antivenom. Developing new region-specific treatments is slow and complex. Martin praises Karnataka for making snakebite a "notifiable disease" in 2024, helping track cases better. Dr. Jain sums it up: "Snakebite deaths start where political will ends. Governments should ensure that poor people don't get poor health systems. They deserve better."