Nigeria approves snakebite research center, allocates funds for health and aviation projects

Nigeria's Federal Government has approved the creation of a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, aiming to tackle a significant public health issue. The approval came during the Federal Executive Council meeting, which also sanctioned N128.29 billion for five health and aviation projects.

“

The Federal Executive Council today considered four important items related to the health of Nigerian people. First was the upgrade of the snakebite treatment centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State into the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State with an expanded mandate for clinical services, research and training to respond to the need that exists in our country for adequate attention to snake bites and snake envenomation.

These projects include the procurement of tuberculosis commodities worth N62 billion, reproductive health drugs valued at N25 billion, ten blood donation vans costing N6.9 billion, and the construction of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State for N34.39 billion. The snakebite center will upgrade an existing facility, expanding its mandate to include clinical services, research, and training.

“

Snakebite remains a significant yet neglected public health challenge, particularly in our rural communities here in Nigeria, in the savannah regions, but also across the sub-region, and is especially hard on vulnerable populations, farmers, herders, hunters, women and children, whose livelihoods and daily activities expose them to encounters with snakes.

Professor Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted that snakebite envenomation is a neglected public health challenge, especially affecting vulnerable populations like farmers, herders, women, and children in rural and savannah regions. He noted that over 43,000 snakebites occur annually, leading to deaths, disfigurement, and disability, with a severe socioeconomic impact. The new center is expected to provide specialized care, conduct research, and ensure a sustainable supply of anti-snake venom, becoming a vital institution for Nigeria and the sub-region.

“

We do have a large burden. Over 43,000 snakebites annually occur, many of which result in death, disfigurement, disability and psychological trauma with severe socioeconomic impact. This new centre will be an important new institution that will address the challenge, particularly in the Northeast, the Northwest and the North Central geopolitical zones of Nigeria, where the issue is most dire.