The Benue State government has received 100 vials of Panaf Premium Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) valued at over N25 million from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the treatment of snakebite victims across the state.
The intervention is expected to ease the financial burden on snakebite victims and their families, amid concerns over the cost and availability of anti-snake venom for treating cases across the state.
State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, who received the consignment on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Human Services on Friday in Makurdi, said the donation was secured through the state’s engagement with the Federal Ministry of Health and would complement the efforts of the state government of improving access to essential healthcare services.
Ogwuche commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate for responding positively to the state’s request for anti-snake venom.
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He said the intervention would particularly benefit vulnerable residents who might otherwise struggle to afford the medicine when bitten by snakes.
He said that the availability of the medicine would facilitate prompt treatment of snakebite victims while reducing the financial burden on affected families.
The commissioner added that the state ministry would ensure proper documentation, storage, distribution and rational utilisation of the consignment to guarantee that the life-saving medicine reaches patients who genuinely need it.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Cephas Hough, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the timely intervention.
Hough said the donation would strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to snakebite cases and reduce the treatment burden on affected residents.
He also commended the commissioner for his proactive engagement with the Federal Ministry, which facilitated the donation to the state.
The permanent secretary said the intervention showed the importance of sustained collaboration between the federal and state governments in addressing critical public health challenges.
The consignment 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.
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