The Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Comprehensive Health Centre, Zamko, Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, has appealed to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for increased support to strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly in the management of snakebite cases.
The appeal was made during an advocacy visit to the facility by Ms. Kachollom Daju mni, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja, alongside officials of the Ministry, members of the advocacy team and other stakeholders.
Welcoming the delegation, the management of JUTH highlighted the centre’s achievements and challenges, noting that the visit provided an opportunity to seek the Ministry’s support in improving healthcare services at the facility. Established in 1994, the 40-bed JUTH Comprehensive Health Centre, Zamko, provides healthcare services to communities within its catchment area and neighbouring states, including Bauchi, Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue. The centre also serves as a training and research facility.
Among its recent achievements, the management noted that renovation of the centre has reached approximately 95 per cent completion. The provision of solar streetlights by the JUTH Chief Medical Director and a borehole donated by AVM Napoleon Bali (rtd.) have also improved security and access to water. The centre has equally sustained interventions in the treatment of snakebite victims. For over one year, free anti-snake venom, including Echitab Plus ICP and VINS Bio, has been provided to victims through the support of the JUTH Chief Medical Director, Dr. Pokop W. Bupwatda, benefiting at least 150 patients.
The facility also acknowledged the donation of monovalent Echitab G by the Plateau State Government through the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Agency in February 2026, which benefited 10 patients, as well as the Federal Ministry’s donation of 200 vials of Panaf Polyvalent anti-snake venom in November 2024.
However, the management expressed concern over the shortage and high cost of potent anti-snake venom, particularly Echitab G and Echitab Plus ICP, which are critical in the treatment of severe snakebite envenoming. The centre recorded 311 snakebite cases with 13 deaths in 2025, while 184 cases and 11 deaths have been recorded from January 2026 to date. The management estimated that approximately 7,500 vials of anti-snake venom are required monthly to adequately manage severe cases.
Beyond the immediate need for anti-snake venom and sustainable electricity, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Pokop W. Bupwatda, and Professor Aboi J. K. Madaki appealed to the Permanent Secretary to advocate for the upgrade of the JUTH Comprehensive Health Centre, Zamko, to a dedicated Treatment and Research Centre.
They noted that such an upgrade would strengthen the facility’s capacity to provide specialised care, particularly for snakebite victims, while expanding its role in research, training and the development of evidence-based interventions for snakebite envenoming and other health challenges affecting rural communities.
The management also called for a reliable and sustainable power supply, noting that continued dependence on diesel-powered generators is increasingly costly and poses challenges to the continuity and efficiency of clinical and administrative services.
Responding to the concerns, the Permanent Secretary assured the management and stakeholders that she would do her best to ensure that the challenges and requests raised during the advocacy visit receive the attention of the appropriate authorities. She particularly acknowledged the appeal for the upgrade of the facility, noting that where the centre meets the required criteria and conditions for such an upgrade, the Federal Government would take the necessary steps to ensure that it is done.
The Permanent Secretary’s assurance was welcomed by the JUTH management and other stakeholders, who expressed optimism that sustained government support would further strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to lifesaving treatment for communities within the centre’s catchment area. The advocacy visit brought together representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Plateau State Ministry of Health, JUTH management, traditional rulers including the Ponzhi Tarok, chairmen of Langtang North and South Local Government Areas, political leaders, the President of the ZDA, members of staff, the JUTH snakebite research team, invited guests and the media.
GALLERY
