A proposed law guaranteeing free snakebite treatment in Benue State has cleared the State House of Assembly and is now awaiting the governor’s assent.
The bill was approved at Friday’s plenary after lawmakers completed its third reading. Speaker Berger Alfred Emberga presided over the session. Its passage follows a public hearing conducted in March, which brought together health-sector stakeholders to examine the difficulties faced by snakebite victims, especially farmers and people living in rural communities.
Matthew Damkor, chairman of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and representative of Tiev State Constituency, said snakebite continues to pose a serious yet neglected health threat in rural areas.
According to Damkor, the proposed legislation would make it easier for victims to obtain urgent care by removing treatment costs as a barrier. It would also create a more organised system for managing snakebite cases. Emberga said the bill was necessary because farmers and other residents of rural communities are frequently exposed to bushy and agricultural environments where snake encounters are more likely.
The Assembly’s action comes as vulnerable communities in Benue continue to report snakebite incidents. The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has, through partnerships with state health facilities, provided free treatment and anti-snake venom to affected internally displaced persons and other vulnerable residents.
Before the bill can take effect, it must be signed by the governor. Once assented to, the measure would provide a statutory basis for free snakebite treatment at government hospitals throughout the state.
The need for such a framework is particularly acute in farming communities, where delays in obtaining anti-snake venom and emergency medical attention can lead to severe complications.
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