Benue State officials say the state government has spent more than N160 million (about US$ 210,000) on treating internally displaced persons (IDPs) for snake‑bite injuries over the past six months.
The cost was disclosed by a senior state representative, who said the funds were directed to medical facilities and outreach programmes that provide antivenom and other necessary care to displaced residents.
Snake bites are a recognised health risk in rural parts of Nigeria, where agricultural workers and communities living in forested areas frequently encounter venomous reptiles.
Benue, located in Nigeria’s middle belt and often called the country’s “food basket,” hosts a large rural population that has been affected by recent displacement crises, increasing the demand for emergency medical services.
The expenditure forms part of the state’s broader effort to address the health needs of IDPs, who rely on government‑sponsored treatment as they remain without permanent shelter or regular access to health care.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
