Witnessing snakebite firsthand compelled me to act

I first got drawn into the world of snakebite and antivenom during a short internship at the World Health Organisation involving research in antivenom manufacturing and a field trip to Kaltungo, Nigeria. Seeing the plight of snakebite victims first-hand, and coming to understand the many factors that conspire to make this one of the most significant and most neglected global health issues, was compelling. The solutions were, at the same time, seemingly obvious but incredibly complex and elusive. Contributing to snake antivenom manufacturing for Nigeria through MicroPharm Ltd, whilst helping to develop broader advocacy strategies through the GSI, brought together practical and aspirational elements of this equation.

Our collective efforts have illustrated that solutions were not only desperately needed, but also achievable.

I have also been fortunate enough to develop a global network of friends and associates who share a passion for snakebite advocacy. Our collective efforts have illustrated that solutions were not only desperately needed, but also achievable. These are potentially highly cost-effective global health interventions and, if implemented, could deliver enormous human benefit and return on investment.

My journey over the last 15 years to understand the potentially life-saving and life-changing impacts of both prevention strategies and high quality antivenom treatments for those communities living under constant threat of snakebite, and the enormous benefits that could flow from this, continues to motivate and inspire ongoing work in this field.

Nick Brown is a Board Director of the Global Snakebite Initiative and has been an instrumental voice in championing snakebite envenoming at a global level.