Benue Assembly passes free snakebite treatment bill into law

The Benue State House of Assembly has approved legislation that will guarantee free treatment for victims of snakebite at government-owned hospitals across the state.

The bill received the backing of the lawmakers after successfully passing its third reading during plenary, which was presided over by the Speaker, Berger Alfred Emberga.

The development came after a public hearing conducted on Monday, March 23, 2026, during which stakeholders in the health sector discussed the need for legislation aimed at improving access to snakebite treatment in Benue.

The Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, Dr. Mathew Damkor, who represents Tiev State Constituency, described snakebite as a major public health concern that has continued to receive inadequate attention, especially among farmers and people living in rural communities.

According to Damkor, the new law is expected to remove the financial difficulties that often delay victims from receiving urgent medical care, while providing a coordinated framework for managing snakebite cases across the state.

The Speaker, Emberga, said the legislation was both timely and necessary, particularly because of the frequent exposure of farmers and other rural residents to snakebite incidents.

He noted that the law would help tackle some of the major difficulties faced by victims of snakebite, especially those residing in rural parts of Benue State.