The Federal Government has unveiled plans to formally take over the Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, to boost training, research, and the local production of anti-snake venom in Nigeria.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the centre over the weekend, as part of his working tour of Gombe State.
Prof. Pate said the centre, which currently treats between 2,000 and 3,000 snakebite victims annually, plays a critical role not only in Nigeria but also in neighbouring countries, particularly during the peak farming seasons when snakebite incidents surge.
“The Federal Government, in partnership with Gombe State, will formalise arrangements to expand this facility, not just as a treatment centre but also as a hub for training, research, and domestic production of anti-snake venom,” Pate stated.
The minister, who also commissioned a new Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit at the General Hospital, Kaltungo, praised the state’s health sector reforms under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, describing them as a national model for health system strengthening.
He commended the state government’s efforts in revitalising primary healthcare, upgrading hospitals, developing human resources, and establishing specialised medical centres.
Pate also applauded the recent approval of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), noting it as a significant step toward attracting and retaining skilled health personnel in Nigeria.
Responding, Governor Yahaya attributed the success of the state’s healthcare reforms to collaboration, political will, and the motivation of frontline workers.
“All the credit goes to the team. We realised that infrastructure alone isn’t enough, so we made it a priority to incentivise our health workers across all levels – from primary to tertiary – to ensure an effective system,” he said.
The Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre in Kaltungo is one of the foremost centres of its kind in West Africa, catering to victims from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
