From Rabilu Abubakar, Gombe
Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthen healthcare delivery, as part of efforts to curb the growing challenge of snake bites.
Speaking through his Deputy, Dr Manasseh Jatau at the second Scientific Conference of the Toxinological Society of Nigeria, TSN, in Gombe, Governor Yahaya said the state had constructed 114 primary healthcare centres across all wards, a project that earned international recognition.
He noted that the facilities were designed to bring medical services closer to rural dwellers, including victims of snake bites who often face delay in accessing treatment.
“Government is deeply concerned about the high incidence of snake bites in our communities.
“By expanding healthcare infrastructure and improving access to treatment, we aim to reduce avoidable deaths and save lives,” Jatau said.
Statistics showed that from January to July, the Snake Bite Treatment and Research Centre in Kaltungo treated 1,829 cases, with 23 deaths recorded.
About 75 percent of the victims were men, with the carpet viper identified as the most dangerous species.
Chairman of TSN Board of Trustees, Dr Ibrahim Daudu commended the state’s health investments, but stressed the need for the local production of anti-snake venom to reduce cost and improve accessibility.
He described Gombe as “the heart of Nigeria’s snake bite challenge.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the National Emergency Committee on Snake Bite, Dr Isma’il Jibrin linked the high prevalence of snakes in the state to its environmental condition, while lamenting the soaring cost of anti-venom drugs.
He added that with the World Health Organisation’s, WHO, guidelines, Nigeria is permitted to produce anti-venom only for domestic use.
In his remarks, the Mai Kaltungo, Engr Saleh Muhammad observed that most cases occur during the farming season.
He advised farmers to adopt protective gears and urged government to improve rural road networks to ensure quicker access to treatment facilities.
