By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre as part of measures to strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The council also approved N73.9 billion for the procurement of essential medical supplies and other health interventions across the country.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Monday after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Pate said Nigeria records about 43,000 snakebite cases every year. He noted that many victims either die or suffer long-term disabilities, especially in the north-east, north-west and north-central regions.
“The new centre will provide specialised treatment, undertake research on snakebite prevention and management, ensure sustainable access to quality antivenom, and collaborate with international partners,” he said.
The minister also announced that the council approved N6.9 billion for the National Blood Service Agency to purchase 10 compressed natural gas-powered mobile blood donation clinics.
According to him, the vehicles will improve blood collection and distribution across the country.
Pate further revealed that FEC approved N62 billion for the procurement of tuberculosis commodities to strengthen the country’s response to the disease.
“FEC also authorised N62 billion for tuberculosis (TB) commodities to boost response to one of the world’s highest TB burdens,” he added.
“The procurement seeks to reduce reliance on foreign donors and support eventual local production of TB medicines.
“The sum of N5 billion was also approved for the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to purchase reproductive health and family-planning commodities to improve maternal health services and expand voluntary family-planning access across the country.
“These approvals underscore the Tinubu administration’s commitment to strengthening health infrastructure, widening access to essential medicines and promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing.”
