The Benue State House of Assembly has passed a bill providing for free treatment of snakebite victims in government hospitals across the state, following growing concerns over the impact of snakebites on rural communities.
The legislation was approved after its third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alfred Emberga. The bill had earlier undergone a public hearing where health-sector stakeholders highlighted the need for stronger government intervention.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, Matthew Damkor, described snakebite as a serious but often neglected public health problem, particularly among farmers and people living in rural areas.
He said the law would remove financial barriers that prevent victims from receiving timely treatment while establishing a structured system for responding to snakebite cases.
The Speaker also described the legislation as timely, stressing the particular burden snakebite incidents place on farming communities.
The measure follows the Assembly’s earlier consideration of the bill during a public hearing in March, when officials and stakeholders discussed provisions for free treatment and an administrative committee to coordinate the response.
The new law is expected to improve access to treatment for victims and reduce the risk of preventable deaths associated with delayed medical care.
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