Jacob Onuha Nelson
At least three people have died of snake bites, this year, in Imehejek administrative area of Eastern Equatoria state.
Acting Director of Health at Imehejek administrative area, Lobeli Mark, told No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper in an interview, on Sunday.
According to the Acting Director of health, a 14-year-old girl, who died on Saturday, was the recent victim of snake bite in Imehejek Administrative area.
He said two other cases occurred in Lopit West and another at Ihira villages, respectively.
Meanwhile, a Senior Laboratory Technologist at Imehejek health facility, Oburak Peter Opwany said the girl was brought after being bitten by a venomous snake.
“This girl could have survived if we had the required antivenom or a way to refer her in time,” Oburak said.
Despite receiving care for three days, Oburak said the girl’s condition worsened due to the absence of snake antivenom and the lack of a proper referral system to a better-equipped medical centre.
“We tried everything with what we had, but the resources were too limited to save her,” he added.
Oburak said that the death of the 14-year-old girl has sparked public outcry over lack of essential drugs in the area.