Doctors seek availability of snake antivenom at PHC level

The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), has recommended that snake antivenom be made readily available at the Primary Healthcare (PHC) level.

President of the association, Dr. Ezekiel Adeshina made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin while speaking with our correspondent.

He spoke against the backdrop of the recent snake attack involving prominent Nigerian artist, Ifunanya Nwangene, who died from a snakebite.

The ARD-UITH president noted that making snake antivenom available at the primary healthcare level in Nigeria would facilitate faster treatment.

According to him, this would reduce the treatment time, thereby increasing the chances of survival and minimising complications.

He emphasised that early response and prompt treatment with antivenom can significantly reduce snakebite-related deaths and reduce mortality rate.

Adeshina, a Senior Registrar in General Surgery at UITH, pointed out that most snakebites occur in rural areas, where the majority of primary healthcare facilities are located.

“These facilities should be harnessed with a lot of antivenom and other medications with trained staff who can manage snake bite.

“Snake venom is a saliva consisting of a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and toxins used by snakes to immobilise their prey, initiate digestion, and provide defense.

“When bitten by snake, the first thing to do is to avoid panic as that may worsen the venom in the blood.

“Remove the victim from the danger point, identify the site of bite and clean with antiseptic; identify the type of snake, and transport the person with a vehicle to the hospital with anti-venom facility,” he said.

The expert also warned against tying the bitten area, saying “when you tie, you concentrate the toxin in that part and it becomes more dangerous. It also spread faster to the heart after tying and untying.”

Adeshina advised people to always use anti-snake spray around the compound and also block all nooks and crannies on the wall to avoid a hide out for the reptiles.

In his reaction, Dr. Abdulfatai Abdulazeez, the President of Resident Doctors at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) described snake venom as a toxic secretion produced by specialised glands in snakes, which is injected into a victim through fangs during a bite.

“It is a complex mixture of biologically active substances including enzymes, proteins, and peptides designed mainly to immobilise, kill, and begin digestion of prey, and for defense,” he said.

He added that snake venom damages the nerves (neurotoxic), destroys tissues (cytotoxic), and interferes with blood clotting (hemotoxic).

“In humans, snake venom can cause anything from local pain and swelling to paralysis, bleeding disorders, organ failure, or death, if not treated promptly,” he said.

Abdulazeez also observed that PHC facilities play a crucial role in early recognition, first aid, stabilisation, and referral of snakebite victims.

He however pointed out that definitive management including antivenom administration should be done at well-equipped secondary or tertiary health facilities.

He disclosed that KWASUTH stocks the Polyvenom, which is the anti-venom treatment of bites from venomous snakes, particularly those from the Elapidae family including cobras, kraits, and mambas.