Federal Government Approves Four Snakebite Treatment Centres in Benue

The Federal Government has approved four health facilities in Benue State to serve as designated treatment centres for snakebite victims, with government supplied anti snake venom expected to improve access to essential care.

According to a report by PUNCH on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, announced the approval during a briefing with ministry officials in Makurdi.

Ogwuche said the facilities were selected across Benue’s three senatorial districts to make treatment more accessible to residents. They are General Hospital, Katsina Ala, in Zone A; University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, and General Hospital, Gboko, in Zone B; and General Hospital, Otukpo, in Zone C.

The commissioner said healthcare professionals at the designated centres would receive specialised training in managing snakebite envenoming. The training is intended to strengthen their capacity to provide timely and effective treatment to patients.

He added that the centres were expected to receive anti snake venom through the Federal Neglected Tropical Diseases Envenoming Programme. According to him, the initiative would support Benue’s free snakebite treatment agenda and help reduce the financial burden on affected families.

Ogwuche acknowledged the support of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, describing cooperation between the federal and state governments as important in tackling public health challenges.

Farmers and rural residents are among those expected to benefit from improved access to treatment because their daily activities can expose them to snakebites. Internally displaced people may also face additional risks due to their living conditions.

The report also highlighted the cost of treating snakebite victims among displaced residents. James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, reportedly said the agency had spent more than ₦160 million treating internally displaced persons for snakebites over the previous six months.

The approval represents an effort to strengthen snakebite care in the state. However, the availability of anti snake venom and trained personnel at the four centres will be important in determining how effectively the initiative serves patients.

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