Curbing Deadly Menace Of Snake Bites in Benue IDP Camp

First, it was the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, who initiated the idea of offering free treatment to snake bite victims in the state in 2021 at the Federal Medical Centre, Bishop Murray Hospital and Rahama Hospital all in Makurdi.

The former governor carried out the treatment as a demonstration of the commitment of his administration to reduce the burden of the high cost of treatment on victims who are predominantly poor farmers. Ortom, who at a personal level also sponsored the treatment of victims of snake bites, explained that as an issue of state concern, he intended that his government take over the sponsorship.

To this end, a fund raising appeal for the intervention in schools and hospitals, under the Resource and Planning Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, a development that attracted him and other top government functionaries, was embarked on.

Most victims of the snake bites were indigenes of Guma, his home local government area that has ceaselessly been under attacks by armed herdsmen, where scores of innocent people were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

The former governor’s humanitarian gesture received accolades from the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, which collaborated with him to treat over 2,981 snake bite victims. New Telegraph recalls that out of the number, 64 persons were reported to have died while over 2,917 others survived. Ortom disclosed that he expended over N680 million on treatment of snake bite victims. He said, “Initially, my foundation was handling the snake bites before I became governor.

At a point I owed the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Rahama Hospital and Bishop Murray Hospital, all in Makurdi, the sum of N70 million and when I became governor, through a State Executive memo from the Commissioner for Health, it was agreed to hand it over to state government, which expended N680 million.

Ortom promised to provide Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing machines, worth N20 million, to the hospital saying, “It is our responsibility to complement what the church is already doing to make life more meaningful for the people of Benue state.”

Commendation

The Health Coordinator, Catholic Dioceses of Makurdi, Reverend Father Peter Kpaleve, commended Ortom for supporting the sick.

“The treatment for snake bike is quite expensive and those bitten most times are peasants who cannot afford the treatment. But they all received free treatment because of the intervention of Ortom,” Father Kpaleve said.

Also speaking, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Reverend Wilfred Anagbe, who spoke at the commissioning of the ultra-modern laboratory at the Bishop Murray Hospital Makurdi, under the Makurdi Catholic Diocesan Global Integrated Health Initiative, recalled that the former governor started the free treatment for victims of snake bites even before he became the governor of the state as far back as the year 2000.

He disclosed, “I am happy he is partnering with the church to render this humanitarian service to the people. He gave over 3,000 people free treatment for snake bites, 2,917 were treated successfully and 64 lost their lives, Ortom deserves commendation for this initiative.

“Personally, I have had the touch of this intervention when he, in partnership with his wife, built a 30-bed clinic in Aondona community in Gwer West Local Government Area, which is also unparalleled. “I can assure you that we will continue to partner with you and the government to give the people good health.”

Intervention

Fast forward to the present where the incumbent Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, who is also not leaving no stone unturned in securing the lives of the people, is equally confronted by the same challenge.

As the last count not more than 16 victims of snake bite are wallowing in pains in the hospital over the incident.

IDP camps

The tragedy has hit three IDP camps including: the Daudu 1, Daudu 2 as well as the Ichwa, camp which is housing over 14, 000 IDPs located along the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University aka the Federal University of Agriculture Road in Makurdi, the state capital.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. James lorpuu, disclosed this during the distribution of relief materials to the IDPs and refugees scattered across 14 camps in the state.

Iorpuu, who said the incidence of snake bite has heightened in the last two weeks, said the state government has successfully treated all those affected across the camps, stressing that at the moment, all IDP camps, including Ikyogen refugee camp in Kwande LGA have been fumigated.

He disclosed, “In recent months, Benue-SEMA has faced the tragic challenge of snake bites among our IDP populations. I am pleased to report that we have successfully treated over 15 cases across various camps, thanks to the swift action of our health teams and the support from our partners.

As a follow up to reduce the occurrence of the prevalence of the snake bites, all IDP camps including Ikyogen refugee camp has been fumigated. “However, we still require additional medical supplies and support to prevent further tragedies. I urge our partners, both local and international, to continue supporting us in this crucial area.”

Support

Iorpuu commended the immense support of United Nations agencies, local and international partners, particularly UNHCR, UNFPA, the World Bank and IOM for their sustained support to the agency despite the challenges confronting the state.

He noted that the interventions, including the distribution of dignity kits, the construction of shelters and the distribution of food and Non-Food Items (NFIs), have greatly alleviated the suffering of many IDPs.

The SEMA boss said the construction of 50 units of shelters in Nyihemba, in Kwande LGA for the return of IDPs back to their ancestral homes will commence this month. Iorpuu also maintained that BenueSEMA is ready to commence its IDP farm projects in Kwande, Logo, and Gwer-West local government areas to boost food production as well as empower and make the IDPs self-reliant.

The SEMA boss commended Alia for his unwavering support to the agency as demonstrated in the recent donation of a tractor for the IDP farm project, describing the gesture as a significant step in ensuring the success of the initiative.

He also appreciated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their donation of 1,347 cartons of liquid fertilizer to the state, saying the gesture will enhance the productivity of farming projects and ensure that the IDPs can produce food sustainably.

It is therefore pertinent for the state government to continue to fumigate all IDP camps in Benue State to prevent their invasion of, not just by snakes, but other dangerous animals and reptiles. If this is done, more lives would be saved and the camps will be better for habitation.