Residents of the Sissala East Municipality are increasingly alarmed by a surge in snakebite incidents amid a troubling shortage of anti-snake venom (ASV) at Tumu Hospital. This shortage has heightened fears within the community that the lack of timely and effective treatment could lead to severe injuries or fatalities. The problem is particularly urgent during the harvest season, when many snakes are displaced from their natural habitats and often find refuge in harvested crops, leading to accidental encounters with residents.
Hon. Alhassan Marifa, Assembly Member for the Mandamu Electoral Area in the Tumu Municipality, highlighted the severity of the situation. He explained that the rising number of snakebite cases is becoming a daily reality at the Tumu Hospital. The current weather patterns have worsened the risk, pushing snakes into homes and food stores where people are most vulnerable. This creates an environment ripe for frequent snakebite emergencies, requiring immediate medical intervention that is not currently accessible.
The core challenge, according to Hon. Marifa, is the complete lack of anti-snake venom stocks in both the local health centers and Tumu Municipal Hospital. Without ASV, treating snakebite victims effectively is nearly impossible, forcing victims to undertake long and costly journeys to Wa for treatment. The financial burden of obtaining anti-venom in these circumstances is often prohibitive, thereby putting low-income families at particular risk. He emphasized that this situation could result in preventable deaths unless urgent measures are taken.
The Assembly Member has called on the government and relevant health authorities to urgently supply adequate quantities of anti-snake venom to Tumu and surrounding health facilities. Such a supply would reduce the need for travel and ensure that victims receive prompt and potentially life-saving treatment on the spot. Having ASV readily available would also boost community confidence that snakebite risks can be managed effectively, even during peak seasons.
In addition to immediate medicinal support, Hon. Marifa suggested the need for increased public awareness campaigns about snakebite prevention and first-aid measures. Educating residents on how to avoid snake encounters and what to do if bitten could help reduce the number of incidents and improve outcomes in emergencies. The Sissala East community looks forward to coordinated action from government agencies to address this life-threatening issue comprehensively.
Source: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku