The Centre has asked the state governments to procure adequate stocks of anti-snake venom serum to prevent deaths due to snake bites. During the last three years, 4,000 people died due to snakebites across the country. This includes 1162 deaths in 2009 as against 1508 in 2008. 1331 deaths were reported in 2007. Health and Family Welfare Ministry officials denied that the victims of snakebite die for want of medical assistance in time. The sources said under National Rural Health Mission, the primary health care institutions are being strengthened to provide health care including medical assistance to victims of snake bit in time.