🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Federal Government approves Gombe snakebite research center and N128.29bn for health and aviation projects
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, to address the significant public health challenge of snakebites, particularly in rural communities. This center will offer clinical services, research, and training, focusing on the Northeast, Northwest, and North Central geopolitical zones where the issue is most prevalent. Annually, over 43,000 snakebites occur in Nigeria, leading to death, disfigurement, and disability. The new center aims to provide specialized care, conduct research on snakebite epidemiology, and ensure access to anti-snake venom. Additionally, the government approved N128.29 billion for five health and aviation projects. These include N62 billion for tuberculosis commodities, marking a shift towards local procurement and eventual manufacturing, and N25 billion for reproductive health drugs and commodities to be distributed through primary healthcare centers. Ten compressed natural gas-powered blood donation medical clinic vans were approved for the National Blood Service Agency at a cost of N6.9 billion, aiming to increase blood collection from the current 25-30% of the required 1.8 million units annually. Finally, N34.39 billion was approved for the construction of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State, which will serve as a hub for agricultural activities, security operations, and humanitarian services in the Middle Belt region.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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