Snakebite deaths have decreased in Tamil Nadu, says Minister Arunraj

CHENNAI: Health and Family Welfare Minister KG Arunraj on Wednesday said in the Assembly that deaths due to snakebites had decreased compared to previous years

He was replying to DMK MLAs KN Nehru and MRK Panneerselvam who had raised questions about snakebite deaths across the State, during Zero Hour.

Responding to them, the Minister said 9,519 people had been affected by snakebites and nine people had died so far this year. 

He also said 15,837 people were affected by snakebites and 26 people died in 2025.

"In 2024, 16,142 people were affected by snakebites and 27 people died. To ensure immediate treatment not only for snake bites but also for cardiac arrests and other emergencies, the Health Department will create a unique dashboard to enable people to know the status of treatment and availability of medicines at hospitals across the State," the minister said.

Nursing colleges to be established in 6 dists

Giving details about the locations of the six nursing colleges announced by Chief Minister Vijay, Arunraj said the new colleges would be established in Tirunelveli, Tiruchy, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai and Namakkal.
"The proposed colleges will be set up for Rs 270 crore under the funds of Dr MGR Medical University. Along with this, 60 BSc Nursing seats will be added at Coimbatore ESI Medical College Hospital, " the Minister said.

Demanding that MLAs set up more nursing colleges in their constituencies, he said that the government would establish more nursing colleges in other districts as well.