Benue Assembly Passes Bill for Free Snakebite Treatment

Benue Assembly Passes Bill for Free Snakebite Treatment

The Benue State House of Assembly has passed a bill providing for free treatment of snakebite victims in government hospitals across the state.

The bill passed its third reading on Thursday during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Berger Alfred Emberga, following an earlier public hearing at which stakeholders in the health sector highlighted the need for improved access to snakebite treatment, particularly for rural residents.

Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, Dr Matthew Damkor (Tiev), described snakebite as a serious but neglected public health challenge, especially among farmers and rural dwellers.

According to him, the proposed law would remove financial barriers that often prevent victims from accessing timely treatment and establish a structured response system for snakebite cases across the state.

The Assembly also passed the Benue State Honours Bill, which seeks to recognise excellence, integrity and outstanding service to the state.

The bill is also designed to establish a transparent and merit-based framework for conferring state honours.

Meanwhile, the House received a report from its Committee on Rural Development and Cooperatives following the committee's working visit to the Ministry of Cooperative and Rural Development.

Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Dr Abraham Jabi (Buruku), briefed the lawmakers on its findings.

Speaker Emberga subsequently directed the committee to liaise with the state Accountant-General to determine why funds allocated to the ministry had not been released.

The lawmakers also gave first reading to the Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill, sponsored by Simon Gabo (Mata).

Originally Sourced from Benue News Now