Save Lives of Snakebite Victims in Rural India

In Pithora, a rural pocket of Chhattisgarh, snakebites are an everyday danger — but for decades, modern treatment was anything but accessible. Most villagers relied on faith healers for help, often under the belief that snakebites were a form of spiritual punishment or a curse.

Faith healers, in turn, claimed up to 90% “success” rates — but the truth behind those numbers was far more troubling. Victims visibly bitten by venomous snakes were often turned away, declared “beyond help” or spiritually marked. The so-called success rate came from only treating dry bites or non-venomous cases, while those in urgent need of medical intervention were quietly abandoned.

That’s where Anjali Health Centre (AHC) stepped in — offering science-based, compassionate care to all.

For years, AHC operated out of a modest, aging building, treating hundreds of snakebite victims who might otherwise have had nowhere to turn. And now… we are proud to announce a major step forward:

AHC has moved into a brand-new hospital facility — more than three years in the making.

This shift is transforming emergency care in the region. With enhanced space, upgraded equipment, and a growing team, AHC is now able to:

• Treat 250–300 snakebite cases every year
• Administer life-saving antivenom, oxygen support, and observation
• Welcome patients from across a 50–100 km radius, many arriving in critical condition

The new hospital stands as a symbol of both medical progress and cultural change. Each life saved chips away at long-held myths, replacing fear with trust in trained care. Yet much work remains — from equipping emergency rooms with ventilators and diagnostics, to conducting community outreach that educates families on when and how to seek help.

Thank you for helping us replace fatalism with hope — and for standing with us as we build a stronger, evidence-based future for rural healthcare.