FEC Greenlights Nat’l Snakebite Centre Amid N73.9bn Health Funding

0

ABUJA – With over 43,000 Nigerians affected by snakebites an­nually, the Federal Exec­utive Council (FEC) took a resolution on Monday, to establish a National Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre.

In addition to the centre, FEC approved other health sector interventions valued at approximately N73.9 bil­lion.

Briefing reporters on some of the resolutions reached, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Profes­sor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the interven­tions as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare de­livery and expand access to essential medical services across Nigeria.

He noted that the coun­try records an estimated 43,000 snakebite cases an­nually, many of which re­sult in deaths, disabilities, and severe socioeconomic consequences, particularly in the North-East, North- West, and North-Central regions, where the burden is greatest.

Giving more details on the approvals, Pate said, “The new centre will provide specialised treat­ment, conduct research on snakebite prevention and management, ensure sus­tainable access to quality antivenom, and partner with international institu­tions.”

He went on to state that N6.9 billion was approved for the procurement of 10 compressed natural gas CNG-powered blood dona­tion mobile clinics for the National Blood Service Agency to improve blood donation, collection and distribution nationwide.

The Council further ap­proved N62 billion for the procurement of tubercu­losis TB commodities to strengthen Nigeria’s re­sponse to one of the world’s highest TB burdens, while reducing dependence on foreign donors and sup­porting future local pro­duction of TB medicines.

The minister added that N5 billion was also ap­proved for the procurement of reproductive health and family planning commod­ities through the Nation­al Primary Health Care Development Agency to boost maternal health ser­vices and expand access to voluntary family planning nationwide.

“These approvals under­score the Tinubu admin­istration’s commitment to strengthening health infrastructure, expanding access to essential medi­cines and promoting local pharmaceutical manufac­turing,” Pate stated.