### From bites to medication: the hidden challenges of the poisonous snake in sub -Saharan Africa
While many people consider snake bites as a marginal subject, the reality portrayed by the recent investigation by Fatshimetrics shows a severe and often neglected public health crisis which strikes the rural populations of sub -Saharan Africa. The work of journalists Fiona and her colleague highlighting the obstacles to which these communities faced with a problem that kills between 80,000 and 140,000 people per year, raises crucial questions about social responsibility, accessibility of medical care and systemic inequalities.
The first thing that strikes in this survey is the expertise of Dr. Eugene Erulu, who, by her courage and her transparency, defies the status quo. This doctor illustrates the weight of the voice of caregivers in the field, faced with the brutality of a situation which not only threatens lives but also the social fabric of communities. Indeed, many of the victims, such as Safari Charo Ndindow, are the main supporters of family, making their disabilities not only a personal tragedy but also a socio-economic tragedy.
#### The economic impact of a bite
According to a World Bank study, snake bites have disproportionate economic repercussions in rural areas, where workers often lose their ability to support their needs and their families. The cost of the antivenin, when available, can equal to months of salary. Data show that whole households are pushed to poverty due to medical costs related to a bite. The sale of assets to pay a single antivenin bottle is common, but, as several testimonies indicate, there is no guarantee that the treatment is effective.
#### Systemic defects: a shared responsibility
The alarming situation is complicated by the fact that the available antivenins are often ineffective and poorly regulated. Indeed, while Dr. Erulu highlights the poor quality of certain products, one cannot help but ask: why did the competent authorities do not act? The health systems of many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have long been underfunded and undergo immense pressure, with often poorly allocated resources. The question that arises is that of responsibility. Why are governments, especially those who hold decision-making power, choose to sweep this problem under the carpet?
By drawing parallels with other health crises, such as the fight against malaria or HIV/AIDS, we see that media and political attention is often triggered until more influential populations are threatened. This raises a very relevant point: the poisonous snake, although often perceived as a peripheral subject, could well be a revealing test of the state of our overall health system.
#### A voice for invisible
The current initiatives to improve treatment implements for snake bite horses, although encouraging, must be increased and integrated into a wider health policy. Using the creation of better health infrastructure in affected regions could have a deep impact. From another fifth, education and awareness of communities on the risks of snake bite, the signs of a serious bite and the importance of rapid treatment are essential.
The creation of a network of interactions between local hospitals, NGOs, and researchers can contribute to better circulation and availability of effective antivenines. A collaborative approach will be of capital importance to establish standardized protocols which oblige antivenin producers to guarantee the quality of their products.
#### Conclusion: A call to action
The situation will probably require an international commitment to break the negligence cycle. This could be a pivotal moment for the World Health Community; It is not just a local problem, but a question of social justice that deserves to be placed on the world scene. Journalists, scientists and governments must unite their forces to send this crisis, not only to protect those who are on the front line from agriculture and livestock, but also to guarantee that lives are not sacrificed on the altar of indifference. Fatshimetrics has opened a door to a subject that deserves attention and action, and now it is time for others to take over to resonate this invisibile voice on the world scene.