By Meletus EZE
The Snake Bite Treatment and Research Centre, Kaltungo, Gombe State, has recorded a decrease in the cases of snake bites, an official said on Tuesday.
Principal Medical Officer (PMO) General Hospital, Kaltungo, Dr Suleiman Mohammed, disclosed this in Kaltungo, Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Mohammed attributed the development to the change in season as reduced farming activities during the dry season helped in reducing incidences of snake bites which usually occurred at the farms.
According to him the hospital now records a maximum of two patients in a day.
“Unlike the raining season when people go to farm; we record seven to eight cases daily.
“This is because the farm is an environment where snakes reside and the possibility of getting bitten by snakes is high,’’ he said.
He, however, noted that the delay in coming to the hospital by some victims was the major challenge the healthcare providers were facing.
“In spite of the availability of drugs, some people do not come to the hospital immediately.
“Sometimes they stay home to take herbs and other concoctions and by the time they decide to come to the hospital, their condition had already become critical.
“Critical to the point that they will require blood transfusion to survive,’’ he said.
He appealed to parents and guardians to monitor movements of their children and wards; and encourage them to always wear boots when going to the Bush.
Mohammed commended the government for ensuring the provision of adequate anti-snake venom in the centre.
