The Federal Government has approved four health facilities across Benue State’s three senatorial zones as snakebite treatment centres, expanding access to care for victims, particularly farmers and rural dwellers.

The facilities are General Hospital, Katsina-Ala, in Zone A; Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, and General Hospital, Gboko, in Zone B; and General Hospital, Otukpo, in Zone C.

The approval by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is expected to support the state government’s free snakebite treatment initiative through supplies of government-procured antivenom and training for healthcare workers.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, said the designation would strengthen snakebite management and improve access to essential treatment across the state.

He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commitment to healthcare delivery, particularly efforts to ensure that rural residents and farmers could obtain essential and affordable medical services.

Ogwuche also thanked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Coordinating Minister, Ali Pate, for their support, saying the approval demonstrated the value of cooperation between the federal and state governments in addressing public health challenges.

Under the Federal Neglected Tropical Diseases Envenoming Programme, the centres are expected to receive antivenom supplies to reduce treatment costs and support the state’s free treatment initiative.

Healthcare professionals at the facilities will also receive specialised training in the management of snakebite envenoming to improve their capacity to provide timely and effective care.

Ogwuche said access to free treatment would particularly benefit farming and rural communities, where snakebites threaten lives, livelihoods and household incomes.

He pledged that the ministry would work with relevant federal agencies and health institutions to ensure the benefits reached communities across the state. (The Sun)