• How farmers battle serpents on the Plateau
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Over the years, inhabitants of Qua’an Pan Local Government, Plateau State, have been at war with snakes. They have battled the fiery-tempered creatures to no end. They killed some, but also lost some of their sons and daughters as a result of the poisonous bites of the reptiles.
The prevalence of snakes, especially in green grasses and wet farmlands, affected farming activities in these communities. Many abandoned their farms, apart from the cost of medication, which is nowhere within their reach.
It is against this background that former chairman of the local government, Isaac Kwallu, established Qua’an-Pan Model Snake Treatment Centre. It was to provide prompt and affordable medical attention to victims of snakebite.
Chief Medical Officer of the centre, Dr. Isiah Maurice Dasok, told Daily Sun that they attend to no fewer than 2,000 patients annually, mostly farmers and Fulani herders: “Most of them come from Mikang, Shendam, Pankshin Bokkos, Wase and Kanam local governments. We also receive cases from neighbouring states of Nassarawa and Taraba.”
He added that orthodox medication against snakebite was more efficient and affordable than traditional treatment that these communities were used to: “That is one of the reasons for our huge traffic of patients.
“The local government has been subsidising their treatment. Here, a single dose of anti-snake venom (ASV) goes for N40,000 as against N100,000 charged by private hospitals or something in that range by traditional snake bite doctors. Ours is the cheapest you can get in any part of the North Central.”
In spite of this thrive, he lamented that they were challenged by manpower shortage: “The centre is run by just four workers and five volunteers as against 30 workers.
“We also need power for emergency cases at night, for laboratory investigation and for the security of our patients and their relatives, especially when they are on admission.
“We used to rely on generators when there was no power. But with the recent hike in petroleum pump price, it has become increasingly difficult for us to sustain this alternative. We now use touch light at night. Certainly, this is not good enough for a heath provider like us.
“We have the problem of lack of space too. This place is already too small for our operations. The number of our cases is increasing. The traffic of our out-patients or patients on admission can no longer be accommodated within this limited space.
“You cannot be treating a patient and the other one is spitting saliva. There is the need to expand this treatment centre.”
He explained that most patients were treated with a single dose of anti-venom, which if given at the appropriate time was just enough to neutralise the snakebite: “There are, however, difficult and exceptional cases. Sometimes the level of venom ingested inside the patient’s system could require a sustained approach. This class of patients requires two to three doses to be well again.
“This patient (pointing at a woman) was admitted into this facility four days ago from Nassarawa State. You can see that she has stabilised. I have re-evaluated her situation and she is okay and can now go home.
“Her story is rather painful. She went to her farm in search of food to feed her family. It was while she was there harvesting that she was bitten by a snake. As at the time she was rushed in here days ago, she could neither turn nor talk. She was almost gone but now she is revived.
“She was administered with a single dose at the rate of N100,000 in a private hospital, but that dose could not do the work. The hospital advised her to get an additional dose for another N100,000, but she revolted.
“She asked them to put her on a motorcycle and bring her down here. Because she knew that even if it were five or six doses at our centre, our charge would be far less than the sort of money they had billed her at the private hospital. They came and we only gave her a single dose and she was okay.
“Farmers in snake prone areas must acquire and wear rain boots at all time while on the farm or in the bushes. The rain boots should be close to your knees, lookout for a hand gloves.
“It can be soft but tick so that the venom will not enter. Because when the snake strikes, it releases the venom into your system. Then you will begin to see the manifestations.”
Lucy Mike, a patient showed appreciation: “I want to sincerely thank the local government authorities for helping us get treatment here at a very cheap rate. I pray God to bless them.”
Chairman, Qua’an Pan LG, Christopher Manship Audu Wallat, said: “Plans are underway to upgrade the centre to a higher facility. Many had died of snakebites. This necessitated the establishment of the temporary snake treatment centre.
“We will continue to supply the anti-snake venoms at an affordable rate of N40,000. This is because of the situation we found ourselves living and co-inhabiting with snakes. We cannot run away from our reality. Our people are farmers, but we will fight on and we are sure of victory.”