Health experts in Nigeria are highlighting a pressing public health crisis, as the country faces approximately 43,000 snakebite cases annually. They emphasize the dire need for the Federal Government to enhance antivenom production and distribution across hospitals, noting the critical role of this treatment in reducing mortality rates associated with snakebites. The ongoing shortages of antivenom are exacerbated by the high cost for victims, which ranges between N180,000 and N250,000 per dose, a sum that significantly burdens individuals on the national minimum wage.

The health professionals underline the deficiencies in the Nigerian healthcare system, where nearly half of the health facilities lack adequate resources and capabilities to effectively treat snakebite envenoming. This situation not only contributes to preventable deaths but also leads to long-term disabilities for survivors, which poses an additional strain on the already overburdened healthcare infrastructure. The experts urge that measures be taken to improve healthcare conditions, particularly through investment in antivenom production and better health services.

In response to this alarming situation, the experts recommend that the Federal Government consider subsidizing antivenom prices, exploring lower-cost alternatives from abroad, and establishing local production of antivenom. Such steps are deemed essential to alleviate the financial burdens on victims and ensure that snakebite treatments are readily available and accessible to those in need throughout the country, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and saving lives.