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FG refutes claims of unavailability of anti-venoms

Federal Government has refuted the claims by some media reports, that there is a dearth of anti-venom, used for the treatment of patients who suffered snake bites in the Country.

According to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the 2016 anti-venom procurement stocked in the Federal Ministry of Health is still available.

He explained that the States involved (Gombe and Plateau) have refused to comply with the new procedure of requesting for anti-venoms, hence their inability to access the antidote from the Ministry.

He also noted that five States made requests and has been issued the anti-venom for the treatment of victims in the last four months, with the last issued in September 2017.

Adewole explained that the Federal Government cannot continue to purchase and distribute free anti-venoms to States as being practiced currently, adding that snake-bite prevalent States should invest in the procurement and sale of the antidote for those affected in the State.

“Prof. Adewole, however, expressed some apprehension that 2017 procurement may have some hitches because the funding was mistakenly transferred to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA)”.

“The Federal Government is however working on public private partnership arrangement for local production of anti-snake bite venom which will make the product available, affordable and accessible”.

It was previously reported that over 91 victims of snake bite, have lost their lives in Gombe and Plateau States, as a result of lack of anti-venom drugs in the Country to treat victims.

The drugs which are EchiTAB plus ICP polyvalent and EchiTAB G monovalent cost between N13,500 – N30,000.

According to the World Health Organisation, although the exact number of snake bites is unknown, an estimated 5.4 million people are bitten each year.

81,000 to 138,000 people die each year as a result of snake bites, and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities are caused by snakebites annually.

Snake bites by a venomous snake can cause paralysis that may prevent breathing, bleeding disorders which may lead to a fatal haemorrhage, irreversible kidney failure and tissue damage causing permanent disability and limb amputation.

Agricultural workers and children are the most affected. Children however suffer severe effects than adults, due to their smaller body mass.

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