Kathmandu, September 2
A non-government organisation established by the ruling Nepal Communist Party leader with his own name is receiving Rs 720 million from the government for anti-venom production.
Jhalanath Khanal Foundation, also known as Jhalanath Khanal Institute of Health Sciences, says the federal government, the Province 2 government, and Lalbandi municipality in Sarlahi have signed a contract with it to provide the support.
The foundation has planned to establish a ‘snake farm’ in Sarlahi, and supply snake venom to India immediately and to establish its own lab for anti-venom production within Nepal later.
The foundation’s president Rewati Panta says the organisation has already purchased a land plot with an area of 8.5 bighas. Soon, a building will be constructed there, according to him.
The foundation has hoped to start anti-venom production within the next two years.
So far, Nepal has not produced anti-venom and the country depends on India for snakebite treatment.
Earlier, a study by the Ministry of Health had concluded that anti-venom production was not possible in Nepal.
The foundation was established in 2013 after the Constituent Assembly elections, in which Khanal had also contested from Sarlahi. Panta is the district chairman of the NCP’s Sarlahi district committee.
