On Monday 3 April 2023, patients and healthcare workers were left terrified after a snake slithered into one of the wards in the Botshabelo Hospital, especially in the light of the current shortage of antivenom to treat snake bites.  

In a voice clip doing the rounds on social media, one of the residents mentioned he was going to the hospital to kill the snake that might cause harm to patients, while nurses were left in fear.

Alice Mohale Tlhone from Mali, who hails from Welkom, commented on the original article on social media, saying: "South Africa has proven to be a zoo, I was offended when my American friends would ask me if we lived with lions and cheetahs, or took rides on elephants, but lately I'm dumbfounded. It's like we are playing Jumanji! I miss lockdown level 5."

ALSO READ - #TheGreatEscape: Rhino duo roams Bfn streets - VIDEO

Provincial Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, said the snake was spotted in the precinct of the Botshabelo District Hospital's long grass surrounding the hospital. He explained that the pest control members tried to clean the ward, while the snake went hiding under the building in the area where it could not be reached. Mvambi further added that the pest controllers assured hospital management that the type of snake which was spotted in the hospital is not venomous, however, they are doing their best to catch it and repel others that might be seeking hiding spaces in the hospital facility, as some people have a phobia of snakes. 

Mvambi also added that patients of a ward where the snake was identified, will be relocated next week Monday when renovations to their ward are completed. They will remain in a temporary ward while their ward is undergoing renovations.

ALSO READ: People terrified of snake slithering from hospital's ceiling

A shortage of snakebite antivenom in South Africa is a source of serious concern as it threatens the lives of animals and people. According to Johan Marais, CEO of the African Snakebite Institute, anti-venom has been practically unavailable in South Africa for the past eight months. He says they have been overwhelmed by reports of the shortage of vets and the impact the rarest have on farm animals and livestock.

OFM News