Project Rational

  • Pakistan is second highest in snake bite cases in the world after India
  • Sindh is having more than 50% of total Pak cases
  • Annually 25000 to 30000 cases occurs in Sindh with death toll more than 1000.
  • The annual requirement of ASV for Sindh is 40000 to 60000 vials.
  • The National demand for ASV is 125000 to 150000 vials/ year
  • NIH is the only ASV producer, having limited capacity of not more than 25000 vials/ year.
  • The other sources of ASV  are:
    • Indian imported 30000 to 40000 vials/ year
    • Smuggled from India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and some western countries 25000 to 30000 vials/ year.
    • The outside ASV except from India is of no use as manufactured from the venom of snakes not found in Pakistan.
  • The efficacy of Indian ASV is not yet tested, however hospital sources confirm it less effective because manufactured from venom of snakes found 4500 K.ms away from Pak (Tamil Nadu).
  • Being the worst sufferer of ASV Shortage Sindh Needs to Establish it’s own manufacturing Lab.