FG donates N25m anti-snake venom to Benue

The Federal Government has donated 100 vials of Panaf Premium anti-snake venom worth N25 million to the Benue State Government to strengthen the treatment of snakebite victims.

 

The intervention comes amid concerns over rising snakebite cases in the state and the high cost of anti-snake venom, which often places a financial burden on affected families.

 

The latest incident involved a 14-year-old internally displaced boy, Chagu Terhemen, who died after being bitten by a snake at the Agagbe Internally Displaced Persons camp.

 

The consignment was formally presented on Friday at the headquarters of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services in Makurdi.

 

Presenting the donation, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the intervention would complement efforts by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia to improve access to essential healthcare services.

 

Ogwuche appreciated the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Aliu Pate, and the Federal Ministry of Health for responding to the state’s request for support.

 

He said, “The Federal Government’s intervention will complement the efforts of the Alia administration to make essential healthcare services more accessible, particularly to vulnerable residents.”

 

The commissioner said the availability of the anti-snake venom would reduce the financial burden on affected families and improve access to timely treatment for snakebite victims.

 

He assured that the ministry would ensure proper documentation, storage and distribution of the medicine to guarantee that it reaches patients who require it.

 

Receiving the donation, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Cephas Hough, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the intervention.

 

Hough said the donation would strengthen Benue’s capacity to respond to snakebite cases while easing the treatment burden on affected residents.

 

He also commended Ogwuche for engaging the Federal Ministry of Health, which facilitated the donation.

 

The consignment was subsequently handed over to the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharmacist Regina Chi-Chi Agir, for documentation, storage and distribution in line with pharmaceutical management procedures.