The Federal Government has donated 100 vials of Panaf Premium anti-snake venom, valued at N25 million, to the Benue State Government to strengthen the state’s response to snakebite cases.
The donation comes amid concerns over the increasing incidence of snakebites in the state and the high cost of anti-snake venom, which has made treatment difficult for many affected families.
The intervention was formally presented on Friday at the headquarters of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services in Makurdi.
The donation followed recent reports of snakebite incidents among internally displaced persons in the state. One of the latest victims was 14-year-old Chagu Terhemen, an internally displaced boy from Agagbe camp, who reportedly died after being bitten by a snake.
Presenting the consignment, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the intervention was part of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s efforts to reduce snakebite-related illnesses and deaths across the country.
Ogwuche commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Benue and praised the state government’s efforts to establish partnerships aimed at addressing critical health challenges.
He also appreciated the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Aliu Pate, and the Federal Ministry for responding to the state’s request for assistance.
According to the commissioner, the federal intervention would complement the Alia administration’s efforts to make essential healthcare services more accessible, particularly for vulnerable residents.
He added that the availability of the anti-snake venom would help reduce the financial burden on families affected by snakebites and enable victims to receive treatment promptly.
Ogwuche assured that the ministry would ensure proper documentation, storage and distribution of the drugs, adding that the consignment would be used rationally to ensure that it reaches patients who genuinely require treatment.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Cephas Hough, thanked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the timely support.
Hough said the donation would strengthen Benue’s capacity to respond effectively to snakebite cases while reducing the financial burden associated with treatment.
He also commended Commissioner Ogwuche for his proactive engagement with the Federal Ministry, which helped secure the intervention for the state.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the donation further demonstrated the importance of sustained collaboration between the Federal and state governments in tackling critical public health challenges.
The anti-snake venom was subsequently handed over to the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharmacist Regina Chi-Chi Agir, for documentation, storage and warehousing in line with established pharmaceutical management procedures.
