By Hou Akot Hou
In response to a rise in snake bite cases across Northern Bahr El Gazal state, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has donated a consignment of anti-venom medications to health facilities.
Luka Lual Aleu Jok, the health education focal point for the state’s Ministry of Health, revealed that the much-needed anti-venom supplies were received earlier last week, following a request made by the ministry due to reports of deaths from snake bites.
“We are going to deliver these anti-venoms to the five counties including the municipalities like Majok-Yithiou and Aweil hospital in order to relieve people from snake bites,” said Jok.
Aleu stated that the areas hardest hit by snake-related incidents, such as Aweil South, where four deaths have been reported, will be prioritized for the distribution of the donated anti-venoms. Other counties will receive their allocations from their respective county headquarters.
Each health facility received 1000n vaccines.
“The hotspots like Aweil South where four deaths from snake bites have been reported will be served first. Other places or counties will get their consignment from county headquarters respectively. These vaccines came through the efforts of the Coordinator of WHO, Mr. Paulino Kuol Akok who gave the request to WHO and made it possible,” he explained.
Aleu advised medical workers to administer the anti-venom vaccines effectively and to avoid diverting them to pharmacies, warning that anyone found selling the vaccines would face disciplinary action.
Mr. Lual Khamis, the Deputy Hospital Director for Aweil West County, expressed his appreciation for the WHO’s donation, stating that they have already received their allocation and are prepared to deliver the anti-venoms effectively.
Health practitioners in the state have warned about the increased dangers of snake bites during the flooding season, as waterlogging and submergence can drive snakes into closer contact with human settlements.