Snakebites have become a major challenge at Bole and its environs in the Savannah Region.
Residents in the area who are mostly farmers at times lose their relatives because they cannot afford the high cost of the anti-snake serum.
As a result, the Member of Parliament for the area Hon. Yusif Sulemana (Ori), has procured a number of anti-snake serums to assist his constituents.
The medical product was presented by the MP to the Bole District Health Directorate to be stored at the Martyrs of Uganda health centre under the care of the Bole Local Council of Churches.
According to the MP, he procured the anti-snake venom as part of efforts to support the Bole Hospital to properly handle snake bite cases in the area.
A total of 50 vials of the anti-snake serum have been acquired by the MP’s office at a cost of Ghc15,500.00 to be administered to victims of snake bites at a factory price of Ghc 310.00.
The intervention is intended to ameliorate the financial plight of patients suffering from snakebites in his constituency when referred to other hospitals for treatment.
The anti-snake serum is the single most effective antidote for snake venom.
Not only is the serum expensive, it is also in short supply most of the times – a situation which is evident in the Bole District.
The vaccine is a program drug supposed to be administered for free, but it mostly ends up in private hands and sold to patients at cut-throat prices which has compelled the Bole Local Council of Churches to collaborate with the MP to embark on a project fully sponsored by the MP from his own cofers to produce the serum such that when victims of snake bites are referred from the Bole Hospital,they can buy the serum at a factory price and to safe the victim from being referred outside the District.
Presenting the vials to the District Health Director and leader of the Bole Local Council of Churches, the MP said the development of the constituency remained his focus, and, therefore, charged the management in- charge of the vials to ensure they are used appropriately to enhance quality health delivery in the District.
The MP explained that victims of snake bites would be made to buy the medical product at a wholesale price such that those monies will be used as a revolving fund inorder to ensure the sustainability of the project.
He also advised residents in the constituency to always report first to the hospital when bitten by a snake.
Mr.David Bakuri, Bole District Health Director of the Ghana Health Services together with the leadership of the Bole Local Council of Churches led by Rev. Adams B. Seidu, received the medical product and expressed appreciation to the MP for his regular support to the health sector in the area.
“This particular anti-snake venom is very efficacious and we are grateful to the MP and however added that when a victim of a snake bite attends the Bole District Hospital treatment is free but when referred to the Martyrs of Uganda health centre, you have to buy the vial at a wholesale price provided by the MP to keep the project running”, Mr David emphasised on.
Rev. Adams B.Seidu, Chairman of the Bole Local Council of Churches also added that, the intervention by the MP would save lives as the potency level of this particular vial is high and at a factory price of Ghc310.00 and hence urged people in the District not to think that the vials will be administered free of charge.
This is the first time in the history of Bole that an MP has donated anti-snake serum to the constituents.
Source: yagbonradioonline
