Kathmandu, June 29 -- The spread of venomous snakes into Nepal's hills and mountains has prompted hospitals to prepare for a medical emergency once largely confined to the southern plains.

Sotang Primary Hospital in the mountain district of Solukhumbu recently requested the Ministry of Health and Food Safety for the supply of antivenom, which is critical to saving the lives of snakebite victims.

The health facility has completed an internal assessment and submitted its report to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. The division then deployed an expert team to assess whether the health facility meets the criteria for providing antivenom treatment, officials said.

"Around 30 snakebite victims have sought treatment at our hospit...