The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, as part of broader efforts to address a significant public health challenge

The Federal Government on Monday approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State.

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It also approved N128.29 billion across five health and aviation projects, including the procurement of tuberculosis commodities worth N62 billion, reproductive health drugs worth N25 billion, ten blood donation vans worth N6.9 billion, and the construction of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State at N34.39 billion.

The approvals followed Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, said council considered four critical health items, beginning with the upgrade of the existing snakebite treatment facility in Kaltungo into a full research and medical institution with an expanded mandate for clinical services, research and training.

Pate explained, “Snakebite remains a significant yet neglected public health challenge, particularly in our rural communities here in Nigeria, in the savannah regions, but also across the sub-region, and is especially hard on vulnerable populations, farmers, herders, hunters, women and children, whose livelihoods and daily activities expose them to encounters with snakes.”

He said the new centre would provide comprehensive, specialised care for snakebite and related envenomations, undertake research on snakebite epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and ensure sustainable access and supply of quality anti-snake venom.

This snakebite research centre establishment marks a major step in addressing a public health issue that causes over 43,000 snakebites annually in Nigeria, many of which result in death, disfigurement, disability and psychological trauma with severe socioeconomic impact.

The minister said the centre would partner with international institutions, positioning it as the first of its kind in the country and the sub-region.

The Federal Government also approved the procurement of 10 units of compressed natural gas-powered blood donation medical clinic vans for the National Blood Service Agency’s zonal activities, at a cost of N6.9 billion, and the procurement of tuberculosis commodities and reproductive health drugs and commodities to be procured through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

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For his part, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said council also approved the construction and development of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State, awarded to MESSRS CCECC Nigeria Limited at a contract sum of N34.39 billion.