By Lizzy Carr, Bauchi
The people of Duguri community in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state have called on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, establish a hospital to treat patients with snake bite.
AsheNews reports that the hospital built by Senator, now governor Bala Mohammed some years back, is yet to be put to use, a situation that has forced snake bite victims to travel to Kaltungo in Gombe or Kanamycin in Plateau, for treatment.
Rabiatu Adamu was bitten by a snake eight weeks ago while on her way back from the farm with friends.
“I did not know it was a snake bite for almost four days until I was taken to a traditional healer who told me it’s a snake bite,” she told AsheNews in an interview.
According to her, the pain have been unbearable and was taken from the traditional healer to the hospital where the family has so far spent almost N200,000 for treatment.
Currently the girl cannot walk without assistance and the family members who are farmers, have ran out of funds for her treatment.
“I might loose my right leg if nothing is done quickly. I am calling on the state government to open the hospital and save us from traveling long distances to seek medical treatment. Government should also assist me to foot medical bills because my family can no longer pay.
Another victim, Ado Sale, aged 33, told AsheNews that he was bitten by a viper on his way from the farm but was lucky because he saw the snake and killed it.
“I spent N33,000 for my treatment and I am happy I survived the bite,” he said.
The Secretary, Ward Development Committee at Duguri, Adamu Suleiman said five persons have died from snake bite in the area from May till date while 37 others have survived.
“Three youths and a blind man died from snakebites because they could not afford to travel to Kaltungo for treatment. It is very pathetic that despite the presence of a snake bite hospital in the area, it is yet to be commissioned,” he lamented.
He said that people were suffering and have to use rain boots, protective glasses and hand gloves when working on their farms to avoid attacks from snakes.
Suleiman noted that the only health facility in the area lacked capacity to attend to these patients as the structure is dilapidated and now harbour snakes.
