Free Emergency Treatment for Snakebite Victims at KCMC

TLDR

• The Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) has started offering free medical care to victims of venomous snakebites to ensure timely treatment and reduce preventable deaths.
• This initiative is in collaboration with the Meserani Snake Park Clinic based in Arusha, aiming to eliminate financial barriers to life-saving care.
• KCMC received a donation of antivenom doses on August 16, 2026, which will enhance emergency response times for snakebite victims.
• Dr. Francis Sakita, head of KCMC’s Accident and Emergency Department, emphasized the importance of immediate access to treatment due to the rapid onset of paralysis from neurotoxic envenomation.
• KCMC typically sees about 34 snakebite cases annually, with many originating from the Meserani area, where human-snake encounters are common due to pastoralist and agricultural activities.