THARPARKAR: Two children Abdul Qadeer Lund and Sathbhirai in village Saroro have died in snake-bite incidents after recent intermittent monsoon shower spells in district Tharparkar during last ten days. There are reports that shortage of anti-snake venom (ASV) at taluka hospitals Mithi, Diplo, Chhachhro, Nagarparkar and Islamkot, the miseries of snake bitten victims have increased as they have not been giving proper treatment. The civil society of these areas has shown concern on apathy of concerned health department on shortage of ASV. They have demanded district authority to ensure availability of ASV on private pharmacies at an affordable price besides at all hospitals of Tharparkar. It is reported that a research laboratory in Tharparkar on snake biting and to produce ASV had been planned in Sindh annual budget 2008-09, but nothing had happened in this regard and the plan had also been shifted in Benazirabad district. Published in Daily Times, July 11th , 2017.