Assembly urges Niger Govt. to provide free anti-venom injection

The Niger House of Assembly, on Wednesday, urged the state government to provide
free anti-venom injection to public health facilities to care for victims of snake bites in the state.

The call was part of the resolution in a motion moved by Mr. Ndagi Zakari (APC-Mokwa), highlighting the alarming rise in snakebite-related deaths across the state.

Zakari said the move was to reduce fatalities from snake bites, particularly in rural areas where residents are prone to encounters with venomous snakes due to their occupation as farmers or fishermen.

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He said many victims lose their lives due to the inaccessibility or unaffordability of anti-venom, which costs around N200,000.

He emphasised that the issue was not particular to the Mokwa Local Government Area, as it affects other parts of the state.

The lawmaker added that unless the government intervenes, the number of deaths from snake bites would continue to rise.

Members who spoke unanimously supported the motion.

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Speaker of the House, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, who ruled in favour of the motion, called on the state government to provide
free anti-venom injection in public health facilities across the state.

He urged the state government to also set up a research mechanism to harness snake venom for medical purposes.

He said the initiative could potentially save lives and promote medical advancement.