Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Monday directed the state health director to publish the names of hospitals which have anti-snake venom facilities to treat people suffering from snake bites.

The minister said the names of hospitals providing anti-snake venom should be published at the state and district level.

A statement here said that this action was taken as per the instructions of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

It states that treatment should be provided as soon as a person is bitten by a snake and hence anti-snake poison should be made available in health facilities.

George said that while anti-snake venom has been made available in taluk hospitals and medical colleges in the state, the department is trying to provide related treatment in most of the hospitals in the southern state.

Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) was directed to provide anti-snake venom in adequate quantities.

The statement said that these instructions were given during a high-level meeting held under the aegis of the Health Minister.