The plight of snakebite victims, especially in the Northern region, is far from over as it has emerged that the procurement of anti-snake serum has suffered a setback.
The rate of occurrence of snakebites and the lack of snake serum are common problems in many rural areas in northern Ghana, especially in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions.
In fact, snake attacks are most rife during the growing of food crops and harvesting periods.
The issue became murkier when the host of Adom FM’s anti-corruption show Fabewoso, Captain Smart, revealed that 10 people died from receiving inefficacious anti-snake vaccines at the Wa West district hospital in the Upper West region.
Captain Smart revealed on the show that authorities of the hospital say they have not received anti-snake vaccines from the Ghana Health Service for some time now, a situation that is compelling doctors to prescribe inefficacious ASVs for patients to buy from pharmacies within Wa.
He noted that the cost of a vial of ASV ranges from GH¢100 to GH¢300, depending on the type of snake that bit the victim and he or she might need six to eight vials.
Captain Smart appealed to the government to respond promptly to the requisition of the hospital management and check the leakage of the vaccine in the open market.
In a rebuttal, however, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Nsiah Asare said his outfit couldn’t be blamed for the shortages.
He, however, said his outfit was working with the Health Ministry to supply the anti-snake serum to hospitals in the Northern region.
Dr Nsiah Asare said they have written to the Ministry of Health and other related agencies in charge to expedite action so they can get the serum to the Upper East and West region where the incident is prevalent.