Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate has affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the establishment of more poisoning treatment centres in Nigeria.
The minister made this pledge in Abuja during the closing session of a two-day workshop on integrating and strengthening emergency care for poisoned and envenomed patients in West Africa. The workshop was convened by Prof. Abdulrazaq Habib of the Department of Infectious and Tropical Disease Epidemiology at Bayero University, Kano.
Representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Pesticides and Suicide Prevention at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (UK), were among those in attendance.
Prof. Pate emphasised the potential long-term consequences of animal poisonings, highlighting the risk of chronic kidney damage if not treated properly. He reiterated the government’s willingness to support the establishment of treatment centres to address these challenges.
Mr. David Williams, a scientist specialising in anti-venoms at WHO, announced the organisation’s commitment to providing Nigeria with anti-venoms. He stated that WHO would donate a quantity of anti-venom to assist rural dwellers and other vulnerable populations in snake-bitten environments.
Prof. Michael Eddleston, Director of the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention at the University of Edinburgh, UK, mentioned the importance of establishing poisoning treatment centres in Nigeria. He highlighted their potential role in controlling the effects of pesticide and insecticide poisoning in the country.
Dr. Usman Abdulrahman, a consultant in infectious and tropical diseases, stated the critical nature of poisoning management. He urged the government to expedite the establishment of these treatment centres to address the pressing need for comprehensive care.