Benue Assembly Passes Bill for Free Snakebite Treatment

The Benue State House of Assembly has approved a bill that will provide free treatment for snakebite victims in government hospitals throughout the state. This legislation was approved on Friday during plenary proceedings, after successfully passing through its final reading. The session was chaired by the Speaker, Berger Alfred Emberga.

The decision came after a public hearing, where representatives from the health sector emphasized the necessity of making snakebite treatment accessible to those affected, particularly farmers and individuals residing in rural areas. Dr. Matthew Damkor, the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and representative of the Tiev State Constituency, spoke in support of the bill.

He highlighted that snakebite is a significant yet frequently overlooked public health issue in rural communities. According to Dr. Damkor, the law would eliminate financial obstacles that deter victims from seeking timely medical care and establish a systematic approach to addressing snakebite incidents.

The Speaker of the House described the legislation as timely, pointing out that snakebite incidents present serious challenges to rural communities, especially to farmers who regularly encounter snakes while working on their farms. Following the passage of the bill, and expected endorsement by the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, indigent victims of snakebite in the state will no longer be left in dire straits or perish due to unaffordability of treatment.

It is noteworthy that former Governor Samuel Ortom had previously made provisions for treatment of snakebite victims at Bishop Murray Hospital in Makurdi, both before and during his tenure.