Expert bemoans late reporting of snakebite cases at hospital

By: Ade Phillips

Dr. Nicholas Hamman, Principal Medical Officer at the Snakebite Treatment Hospital in Kaltungo, Gombe State, expressed concern over the delayed reporting of snakebite cases by patients’ relatives.

Speaking during an interview in Kaltungo town, located in the Kaltungo Local Government Area of the state, Dr. Hamman emphasized the importance of prompt referral of snakebite cases to facilitate treatment and reduce fatalities.

He highlighted the late reporting of cases as a significant challenge for the facility, emphasizing that early reporting would decrease fatalities, complications, and ultimately save more lives.

He stated, “Some of the victims spent 15 to 20 days at home before reporting snakebite cases to the hospital. A 15-year-old girl who was brought to the hospital last week, spent 15 days at home before reporting the snakebite case. By the time they brought her, we could not save her life because it was late, the venom had affected her organs. Most of the snakebite patients are peasant farmers and cattle rearers who are far from social amenities. They treat snakebite with concoction capable of causing more havoc to the patient.’’

Hamman urged patients to ensure prompt referral of cases for effective clinical analysis to establish whether the bite was from a snake, squirrel or another thing.

He added that 28 out of the 30 snakebite deaths recorded in 2023 were reported late to the hospital.

He said the hospital recorded 62 snakebites in January, representing an average of two cases per day as against eight or nine cases during the peak period.

He attributed the drop in cases to cold weather when snakes move to pronation which make them less active.

“Usually from November to January snake bites are less because of the weather. The reason it extends to February, the weather has entirely changed, we are still experiencing cold in February,” he explained.

According to him, the facility has stock of anti-snake venom injection that will last to September, adding that it received supplies of 150 vials from the Federal Ministry of Health, and 1,200 others from the North East Development Commission.