The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has donated 100 vials of Panaf Premium Anti-Snake Venom, valued at more than N25 million, to the Benue State Government to strengthen the treatment of snakebite victims and curb recent deaths linked to snakebites across the state.

The intervention is expected to improve access to prompt treatment while reducing the financial burden on victims and their families, given the high cost of anti-snake venom.

The consignment was formally presented on Friday at the headquarters of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services in Makurdi.

Presenting the donation, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the intervention reflected the proactive leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the ministry’s commitment to addressing critical health challenges through strategic partnerships.

Ogwuche commended Governor Alia for his sustained efforts to improve healthcare delivery and protect the lives and wellbeing of residents.

He also appreciated the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Aliu Pate, and the Federal Ministry of Health for responding to the state’s request for assistance.

According to him, the federal intervention would complement the Alia administration’s efforts to make essential healthcare services more accessible, particularly to vulnerable residents.

Ogwuche said the availability of the anti-snake venom would help reduce the financial burden on affected families and improve access to timely treatment for snakebite victims.

He assured that the ministry would ensure proper documentation, storage, distribution and rational utilisation of the consignment to guarantee that the lifesaving medicine reaches patients who genuinely require it.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Cephas Hough, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the timely intervention.

Hough said the donation would strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to snakebite cases while easing the treatment burden on affected residents.

He particularly commended Ogwuche for his proactive engagement with the Federal Ministry, which he said helped facilitate the donation to Benue.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the intervention underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Federal and State Governments in addressing critical public health challenges.

The consignment was subsequently handed over to the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Regina Agir, for documentation, storage and warehousing in line with established pharmaceutical management procedures.

The presentation ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary, directors and other senior officials of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services.