100 vials of Panaf Premium donated as government moves to ease treatment costs and improve emergency response to snakebite victims across the state…..
The Federal Government has donated 100 vials of Panaf Premium anti-snake venom valued at N25 million to the Benue State Government as concerns grow over snakebite cases and the cost of treatment in the state.
The intervention is expected to strengthen Benue’s ability to provide prompt treatment to snakebite victims, particularly vulnerable residents who may struggle to afford the increasingly expensive anti-snake venom.
The donation comes against the backdrop of recent snakebite incidents involving 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.
The consignment was formally presented on Friday at the headquarters of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services in Makurdi.
The intervention forms part of efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to reduce deaths and complications associated with snakebites across Nigeria.
Presenting the consignment, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the donation would complement the state government’s efforts to make essential healthcare more accessible.
Ogwuche said the intervention reflected the commitment of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to protecting the lives of residents and using strategic partnerships to address critical health challenges.
“The Federal Government’s intervention will complement the efforts of the Alia administration to make essential healthcare services more accessible, particularly to vulnerable residents,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the availability of the anti-snake venom would help reduce the financial pressure on families whose relatives require treatment while also improving the chances of victims receiving the medication promptly.
He expressed appreciation to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Aliu Pate, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for responding to the state’s request for assistance.
Ogwuche also commended Governor Alia for what he described as his sustained commitment to improving healthcare delivery across Benue.
The commissioner assured that the donated medicines would be carefully managed to ensure they reach patients who genuinely require treatment.
He said the ministry would maintain proper documentation and storage while overseeing the distribution and rational use of the anti-snake venom.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Cephas Hough, thanked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for what he described as a timely intervention.
Hough said the consignment would strengthen Benue’s capacity to respond to snakebite emergencies and reduce the burden associated with treatment costs.
He also praised Ogwuche for engaging the Federal Ministry proactively, noting that the effort had helped attract the intervention to the state.
With snakebite victims often requiring urgent access to anti-venom treatment, the state government is expected to ensure that the donated medicines are distributed to facilities where they can be quickly accessed by patients in need.
