FG Boosts Benue’s Fight Against Snakebite Deaths

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has donated 100 vials of Panaf Premium Anti-Snake Venom (ASV), valued at over N25 million, to the Benue State Government to support the treatment of snakebite victims across the state.

The intervention comes amid concerns over the prevalence of snakebite cases in Benue and the high cost of anti-snake venom, which often places a heavy financial burden on victims and their families.
The consignment was formally presented to the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services on Friday at the ministry’s headquarters in Makurdi.
Presenting the items, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said the donation demonstrated the proactive leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the ministry’s commitment to using strategic partnerships to address critical health challenges.
Ogwuche commended Governor Alia for his sustained efforts to improve healthcare delivery and protect the lives and wellbeing of residents. He also appreciated the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Aliu Pate, for responding positively to the state’s request for assistance.
According to him, the intervention would complement the Alia administration’s efforts to make essential healthcare services more accessible, particularly to vulnerable residents.
The commissioner said the availability of the anti-snake venom would help reduce the financial burden on affected families while ensuring that victims receive prompt and appropriate treatment.
He assured that the ministry would ensure proper documentation, storage, distribution and rational utilisation of the drugs to guarantee that the lifesaving medicine reaches patients who genuinely require it.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Cephas Hough, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the timely intervention.
Hough said the donation would strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to snakebite cases and ease the treatment burden on affected residents.
He particularly commended Commissioner Ogwuche for his proactive engagement with the Federal Ministry of Health, which he said facilitated the donation to the state.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the intervention underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Federal and State Governments in tackling critical public health challenges.
The consignment was subsequently handed over to the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Regina Agir, for documentation, storage and warehousing in line with established pharmaceutical management procedures.