₦airaland Forum

Plateau assures of free access to Echitab anti-Snake venom in all designated facilities

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

The Plateau State Government on Sunday said that Echitab Polyvalent Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) is readily available, widely distributed, and provided completely free of charge to all snakebite victims across the state.

In a statement released by Pharm. Kim Jerry Bot, Director General of the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA), the government emphasized that snakebite is treated as a medical emergency, with no life to be lost due to lack of access, cost, or delay.

The statement highlighted a well-coordinated supply chain that has stocked adequate quantities of Echitab ASV in strategic hospitals, general hospitals, and designated treatment centres.

This ensures prompt treatment for victims in both remote villages and urban areas, without any financial burden on patients or their families.

The statement further reads that key assurances include sufficient stock of Echitab ASV is currently available as well as ongoing distribution to all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and treatment centres.

The statement also reads that Health workers have been instructed to administer the anti-venom immediately upon diagnosis.

The PS-DMCMA warned that any health facility, staff member, or individual found withholding, diverting, or charging for the life-saving drug will face decisive action.

"The lives of Plateau citizens are priceless," the statement declared.

The initiative was praised as a testament to the compassionate, people-centred leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang. By making Echitab ASV free, the Governor has reinforced that "healthcare in Plateau State is not a privilege — it is a right."

Plateau State is positioning itself as a model for the nation, demonstrating that "leadership with conscience delivers real results."

Hospitals and health facilities yet to receive their stock are urged to collect supplies from the PS-DMCMA Pharmagrade Warehouse, ensuring they bring appropriate cold chain equipment for proper storage.

The distribution plan, approved by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, has been detailed and shared with relevant stakeholders,the statement further reads.

https://leaders.ng/2026/02/01/plateau-assures-of-free-access-to-echitab-anti-snake-venom-in-all-designated-facilities/

You'll go to the clinics now, na another story you go dey hear. If they're doing this for real then kudus to them. Hope other governors conform to this especially those in regions prone to snake bites

Shey he dey work for all snakes...


This one wey snake go bite person you've to start explaining which type of snake...


Our forefathers dey comot snake venom through herb way without any long cap he reach the modern way you still have to explain the type of snake at the end he still no guarantee say you go survive....

We have a minister of FCT

and there's no anti venom in the FCT

what a failure

nigeria and chasing clout are 5 & 6. . .
.
Nawa oooooooo


If not , what is the essence of this info after someone had to die from snake bite ?

Na so . But I hope this is true

Nigeria is a joke. I pity any young Nigerian that's still placing hope and trust in this failed British contraption.

inoki247:
Shey he dey work for all snakes...


This one wey snake go bite person you've to start explaining which type of snake...

Only specific snakes...


The most common/likely ones around the area. They is no antivenom for all snakes!

Who asked him
How are the schools and hospitals in Plateau State? That's what you should answer with tangible evidence not to be telling stories about snakes as if that's responsible for the highest mortality in Nigeria

Na now day break for una. Anuman

dominique:
You'll go to the clinics now, na another story you go dey hear. If they're doing this for real then kudus to them. Hope other governors conform to this especially those in regions prone to snake bites

na snake war we dey now, humans being vs snake, as una dey roast snake chop for Nairaland, snake don do their own back

Every state should create similar agency like the plateau State drugs and medical commodities management agency and also make it functional!

This will ensure that life-saving drugs and medical consumables are available in all hospitals and clinics in the states

I hope they sensitise people to identify the particular snake 🐍 that bites them because there are different AVS

Those doctors are still gonna corner it to their privately owned hospital..

Majority of those private hospitals are owned by those senior doctors and directors..

Just because they wanna make money, they'll keep referring you to private hospital..

These doctors do see themselves as god. Majority of them are very rude & I'll mannered..

The problem of Nigeria goes deep than what anybody can imagine..

It is a welcome development because Plateau state is full of rocks and mountains which is a breeding ground for snakes.there has been several reports of snake bites along shandam axis,mango even in Jos city,along rock haven,utan,ecwa staff,bassa road etc...I guess Jos people should know better.

inoki247:
Shey he dey work for all snakes...


This one wey snake go bite person you've to start explaining which type of snake...


Our forefathers dey comot snake venom through herb way without any long cap he reach the modern way you still have to explain the type of snake at the end he still no guarantee say you go survive....

Your backward thinking is the reason why we never fail to elect silly people into power. The money required to buy all the anti venom for the state is less than what one public office holder will steal, this is an opportunity for us to do what is right but your type will continue promoting nonsense

chai. It's such a pity that after a life is lost that there is a wake-up call on every side to buckle up. Many life's have a been lost even before this and we just take it for a normal day .we have to buckle up in our health sector to safe guard the Life of everyone.

Anyway, Agriculture is life

What about other states?

Until the death of this young lady over the weekend, I never knew antivenom was so scarce in Nigerian hospitals — not to even talk of hospitals in the FCT. I always thought no one would die from a snake bite if they were rushed to the hospital immediately. But, lo and behold, my ignorance was exposed this weekend when Ifunanya died from a snake bite.

And please, don’t blame me for being unaware. I know we may be behind in some areas here in Nigeria, but the absence of antivenom in hospitals was never something I imagined.

A young, promising, upcoming R&B singer, Ifunanya, brought to light the level of backwardness in our healthcare system.

Now, I have learned not to judge anyone the next time I hear of someone selling their properties just to travel abroad. I can now understand the different reasons why taking such steps may not be a bad decision.

If you watch this video and see this young lady singing without feeling emotional, you must have a heart of stone.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wToQgFRzzak?si=b8hDXM5B1oA9oT9a

Adexvivacity:
Must they wait for calamity to happen severally before having the necessary things?

You get bro!
It's because the lady who passed on is quite influential. Imagine the number of poor people who have died because of lack of anti-venoms

Nigeria is just somehow sha

I know someone popular must have died of snake bites before this one is saying this.

Always waiting till it's injury time or even after final whistle

DeGLORIOUS:
The girl who died of snake was not from Plateau. The governor is only taking proactive measures for his own citizens. Let's applaud him

Yes

Read and understand what he is trying to pass


Nigeria government in general (State, Local and Federal) always acts after the did has been done

ZombieTAMER:
We have a minister of FCT

and there's no anti venom in the FCT

what a failure

He's busy following up with Rivers politics.

In Nigeria Evil /Disaster Must Happen First Before Insensitive & Irresponsible Nigeria Government Precautions Are Taken Seriously

Snake venom treatment is yet to be gotten by some state and I wonder how they rule

dominique:
You'll go to the clinics now, na another story you go dey hear. If they're doing this for real then kudus to them. Hope other governors conform to this especially those in regions prone to snake bites

If you go Nigerian clinics, they will ask for money, something that is supposed to be free.

We must always wait until man kpai first before we do something.

AustineE1:
It is a welcome development because Plateau state is full of rocks and mountains which is a breeding ground for snakes.there has been several reports of snake bites along shandam axis,mango even in Jos city,along rock haven,utan,ecwa staff,bassa road etc...I guess Jos people should know better.

You're right, while I was in Plateau, snake bites were common and the locals have herbs against them. I didn't hear of anybody die of snake bites despite not going to the hospital.

Must something bad happen before you guys wake up to assume responsibility and put preventive measures in place?