Kofi Annan: A Champion of Snakebite

Shortly before his passing in August 2018, Former U.N. Secretary General and statesman Kofi Annan recorded this video on the importance of a global response to tackle snakebite envenoming.

Snakebites claim the lives of between 81,000 and 138,000 each year, with some 400,000 suffering lasting disabilities and has long been one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases, with little support, funding or programs to help lower the burden.

Mr. Annan had become a champion to help snakebite gain attention on the international global health stage, and in 2017, snakebite was listed as an official neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. For your efforts Mr. Annan, the gratitude of victims who have suffered for generations.