Impact on Farmers: Urgent Calls for Local Production of Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) Vaccines

By Salifu Faridat

The alarming increase in snakebite-related fatalities has struck fear among farmers and nomads who frequently encounter snakes while working in fields and forests during the peak farming season.

The situation has become critical, with patients succumbing to snakebites in hospitals and even at the hands of herbalists as they attempt to manage the situation with relatives.

The Kaltungo Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre, led by Dr. Abubakar Ballah, has witnessed an overwhelming influx of patients, receiving an average of 11 cases daily. This surge in snakebite incidents is not limited to Kaltungo, as other medical centers such as Zamko Comprehensive Medical Centre and Bambur Medical Centre report even more alarming figures.

The scarcity of Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) vaccines required for snakebite treatment in Nigeria has contributed to the rising death toll. Venomous snakes like Carpet Vipers, Cobras, and Puff Adders are responsible for these attacks.

Dr. Nandul Durfa, Managing Director of Echitab Study Group, the supplier of ASV drugs to Nigeria, attributes the acute shortage to the lengthy and cumbersome process of importing the vaccines from production facilities in Liverpool, U.K., and Costa Rica.

Dr. Durfa stresses the urgency of producing ASV locally, pointing out that efforts were initiated as far back as 2006, gaining approval from then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

However, despite the approval, securing funding from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) proved unsuccessful. While his team revisited the initiative in recent times, significant progress is yet to be made.

The impact of this crisis hit home tragically when a female student at the University of Yola lost her life to a snakebite.

This incident reflects the unnecessary loss of lives due to insufficient access to ASV. Dr. Durfa urgently calls on the Federal Government to prioritize the local production of the ASV drug to combat the escalating death toll from snakebites across the country.

The safety and well-being of farmers and nomads are at stake, and a swift response is crucial to save lives and protect communities from the threat of snakebites.

Local production of ASV vaccines would not only ensure timely availability but also create a more sustainable and affordable solution for those at risk.

As farmers continue to work tirelessly to feed the nation, providing them with proper healthcare and protection from snakebite incidents becomes a paramount concern that demands immediate attention and action.