FG Donates N25m Anti-Snake Venom to Benue

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

The intervention comes amid concerns over the rising incidence of snakebites in the state and the high cost of anti-snake venom, which has placed a heavy financial burden on affected families.

Some internally displaced persons in Benue have also reportedly suffered snakebites. One recent case involved 14-year-old Chagu Terhemen, an internally displaced boy from Agagbe camp, who died after being bitten by a snake.

Presenting the consignment, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the donation demonstrated the commitment of the Federal and state governments to improving access to essential healthcare services.

Ogwuche commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his efforts to improve healthcare delivery in the state and 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 assistance.

He said the availability of the anti-snake venom would help reduce treatment costs for affected families and ensure that victims receive prompt medical attention.

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

He assured that the ministry would ensure proper documentation, storage and distribution of the drugs so that the lifesaving medication reaches patients who genuinely need it.

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 intervention.

Hough said the donation would strengthen Benue’s capacity to manage snakebite cases while reducing the financial burden on affected residents.

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

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