South Africa has run out of snakebite antivenom, placing lives at risk.

The South African National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has stopped manufacturing antivenom due to delays in renovations of their laboratories and damage caused by loadshedding.

Reptile conservationist and part-owner of Ndlondlo Reptile Park in Ballito, Neville Wolmarans, warns that the problem will have deadly consequences.

“It’s a serious situation,” he said. “There’s going to be no antivenom in the country soon.”

South Africa is currently importing a weaker, more expensive antivenom called Pan African Premium (Panaf) polyvalent.

CEO of the African Snakebite Institute (ASI), Johan Marais, blames the government. Marais says they have been struggling to purchase antivenom for the past three years.

“The shortage is due to government inefficiency,” he said.

Most Netcare Hospitals carry antivenom, including Alberlito; however, the Ballito hospital is the only medical facility on the North Coast to stock antivenom.

“We now have an imported antivenom called Panaf Premium, which seems to be working well but costs more. Most major hospitals already have it so not a disaster,” said Marais.

Dr Tim Hardcastle, honorary associate professor at UKZN and a member of the National Snakebite Advisory Group, acknowledges the severity of the situation.

But Hardcastle contradicts Wolmarans, saying there is enough stock in the short term in designated government regional hospitals and private medical facilitates.

“There shouldn’t be a problem accessing antivenom. Hospitals just need to place an order, and the antivenom will be delivered,” said Hardcastle.

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