3 die from snake bites in the Northern Region

Three persons are reported to have died from snake bite in 162 reported cases in the Kpandai District of the Northern Region this month alone. According to health authorities in the district, this is due to the non-availability of anti-snake venom in the area.

Several appeals have been made to the Ghana Health Service to resource health facilities in the area with the drug. The ministry of health’s policy on the snake bite serum indicates that the serum be administered free of charge.

Dr. Timothy Banabas Nakogya, a physician at the Kpandai government hospital, spoke to Joy News. He stated that the main problem is the non-availability of serum from medical sources. He added that the serums from other sources are too costly hence the residents cannot afford it. This has made his unit helpless concerning the situation.

Joy News spoke to the Member of Parliament for the Kpandai District, Matthew Nyindam.

"In this 21st century it is so sad to see our brothers and sisters still dying under these snake bite cases, if you go to the ground and you see the number of people dying through these snake bites, you will be surprised," he said.

Mr. Nyindam added that the residents cannot afford the serum which pushes them to the traditional doctors. He appealed on the government to incorporate the serum into the National Health Insurance Scheme to lessen the plight of the poor farmers who are usually victims of snake bites.