Science, State & Society:
An Integrated Global Initiative to Reduce Snakebite Death & Disability

Join the Government of Costa Rica and supporting governments at the 69th World Health Assembly for an important side event on the global burden of snakebite

TIME: 18.00 – 19.30
DATE: Wednesday, 25 May, 2016
LOCATION: World Health Assembly, Room VII, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Despite the fact that snakebite kills 125,000 people and severely injures 2.7 million more every year, it remains one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases.

To raise awareness about the massive burden of snakebite envenoming and discuss strategies to improve the prevention and treatment of it, World Health Organization Member States will host a side event on snakebite at the 69th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The event is being sponsored by the Government of Costa Rica and co-sponsored by the Governments of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Senegal and Uganda. The Global Snakebite Initiative, Health Action International and the World Health Organization are pleased to support it.

SPEAKERS & AGENDA
Introductions
– Opening remarks from the Chair: Dr Fernando Llorca, Minister of Health, Government of Costa Rica
– Screening of short film on the global burden of snakebite

The Snakebite Burden
– The global challenge of snakebite: Dr David Warrell, Emeritus Professor of Tropical Medicine, Oxford University
– Public health & economic burden of snakebite envenoming in Africa: Dr Abdulrazaq G. Habib, Professor, Bayero University (Kano, Nigeria)
– Why snakebite is a medical priority for Médecins Sans Frontières: Julien Potet, Policy Advisor, Médecins Sans Frontières and Dr Gabriel Alcoba, Tropical Medicine Referent, Médecins Sans Frontières

Solutions for Snakebite
– The need for an integrated response: Dr Tim Reed, Executive Director, Health Action International
– WHO assessment of antivenoms and guidelines for production: Dr Suzanne Hill, Director, Essential Medicines and Health Products, World Health Organization
– A pathway to ending the neglect of snakebite envenoming: Dr David Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Global Snakebite Initiative
– An integrated approach to snakebite envenoming – Costa Rica: Dr José M. Gutiérrez, Professor, University of Costa Rica

Discussion from the Floor   

Closing Remarks                    
– Ambassador Elayne Whyte, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations (Geneva)

Sponsored by:
Co-sponsored by:
The Governments of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Senegal and Uganda

Supported by: