Stakeholders Urge Improved Meat Handling at Abattoirs, Call for Establishment of Snakebite Treatment Centers in Benue

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Stakeholders in Benue State have urged the state government to take immediate steps to address the challenges facing abattoirs in the handling and management of meat across the state.

They also called for the establishment of Benue State Snakebite Treatment Centers to provide proper care for victims and reduce preventable deaths.

These appeals were made during the Health Sector Coordination Meeting convened to strengthen partnerships and improve coordination among key health stakeholders for better health outcomes in Benue State’s humanitarian response.

The meeting, themed “Strengthening Partnership and Coordination for Improved Health Outcomes in Humanitarian Response for Benue State,” featured individual presentations by stakeholders who highlighted various emerging health concerns and critical areas requiring urgent intervention.

Among the issues raised was the need for the creation of Benue State Emergency Ambulance Services and the strengthening of humanitarian emergency response mechanisms. Stakeholders also emphasized the rising cases of malnutrition, the lack of statistical data on malnutrition, and the persistent problems in meat handling at abattoirs, particularly the absence of functional laboratories needed to verify the fitness of animals for human consumption.

The meeting further expressed concern over the abandonment of environmental laboratories and poor waste management, which have contributed to unsanitary living conditions. Participants stressed the importance of reticulating the Greater Makurdi Water Works to address the perennial water scarcity in the state.

They also highlighted the need for safe centers for women facing domestic abuse and called for incentives for registered women’s organizations affiliated with the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Stakeholders urged proactive action to close the identified gaps, including advocacy for the establishment of a Nutrition Policy and the passage of the relevant bill in the state. They also reiterated the need to evaluate and reticulate the Greater Water Works to ease the suffering of residents, particularly as the dry season approaches.

Further discussions covered the development of coordination mechanisms for effective implementation of interventions, resource mobilization, and partner projections for 2026. Participants stressed aligning funding priorities with the state’s health strategic plan and enhancing data sharing among MDAs.

Earlier, the Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Leonard Viashima—represented by the Head of Human Resources and Administration/DAS, Beauty Adaaku—highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts for sustainable health outcomes in humanitarian settings. He appreciated stakeholders for their collaboration and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving health outcomes in the state.

During the technical session, Akile Demekaa, Programme Analyst for Health at BICD, presented the overview of the Benue State Health Sector Humanitarian Intervention (2024–2025), outlining ongoing projects, achievements, existing gaps, and the need for strengthened collaboration among MDAs and partners for efficient service delivery.

The meeting also discussed project implementation challenges faced by health partners, updates on ongoing interventions, resource constraints, and the need for data-driven policymaking. Stakeholders identified pressing health issues and priority areas for joint action, including the organization of the Benue State One Health Summit.

The gathering brought together representatives from government ministries, development partners, UN agencies, INGOs, and civil society organizations, including the Ministry of Health and Human Services, BICD, and the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission (BSBEPC), among others.