Lifesaving Boost: WHO Donates Anti-Venom to Snakebite Victims in Mayom County

By Matik Kueth

On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) donated anti-venom dosages to patients afflicted with contagious snakebite ailments in Mayom County, Unity State.

James Gatluak, Mayom Hospital’s Medical Director, told King News on Tuesday that 100 doses of anti-venom were supplied, emphasizing that they would be used to treat the patients who the snakes had bitten despite their critical circumstances.

“But today, we received some medication from WHO. Anti-venom, like 100 doses. They were brought by helicopter from Bentiu. This is UN whole supply,” Gatluak said.

He said certain incidents were reported to Unity State’s administration, including bites by domestic dogs, wild cats, and wild dogs.

“And the report was given to the state level. So, that is what we have at the moment, just only in Mayom Hospital. But some other health facilities outside, there are also some cases like in Mankien and Wnagkei, which we have not yet reached.” He stated.

Gatluak pointed out that several snakebite cases from various Payams, including Wangkei, Mankien, Pup, Ruathnyibuol, Bieh, Ngop, Kuernyiek, and Riah, could not be recorded at other health institutions.

“So, we have not yet received those reports. But there are some cases, and those are the Payam, that are mostly affected. Especially when you talk of Bieh, Kuernyiek, Ruathnyibuol, and Mankien, they are all affected by blooding. And there are some cases,” he stressed.

Gatluak promised King News that all the details would be provided after the report is finalized. The snakebite crisis has reached alarming levels, with over 10 cases reported recently.

This surge, worsened by severe flooding, highlights the urgent need for anti-venom treatment in the area.

Healthcare facilities in the region face significant challenges, struggling to deliver necessary medical aid due to accessibility issues caused by the floods.

The recent spate of flooding has had a disastrous impact on crops and forced many to flee to higher land in the northern part of the region. Reports stated that eight Payams in the county were submerged by an overflow of water, posing a humanitarian catastrophe and threatening the local population with flooding.

According to media reports, the frequency of snakebite incidents has increased as reptiles and other wild creatures have become more competitive with county residents for space.

The authorities in Mayom have asked humanitarian organizations, the state government, and the federal government to provide them with non-food products, mosquito nets, and medication, but the situation is still getting worse.

However, since fresh cases are being reported daily by health officials, the total number of dogs and snakes bites cases is yet unknown.

According to the UNOCHA, as the floodwaters continue to rise, the current flooding will only become worse, underlining that the flooding will likely force the entire county’s population to relocate.