FG Approves ₦73.9bn Health Package and Snakebite Centre

On Monday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a ₦73.9 billion health intervention package and established the National Snakebite Treatment Research Centre. This initiative, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and coordinated by Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Ali Pate, aims to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to life-saving medicines across Nigeria.

The centre will provide treatment for snakebite victims, conduct research, and ensure sustainable access to quality antivenom, addressing the 43,000 annual snakebite cases that result in fatalities and disabilities, particularly in the northeast, northwest, and north-central regions. Additionally, the council authorized ₦6.9 billion for the National Blood Service Agency to procure 10 compressed natural gas-powered mobile blood donation clinics, and ₦62 billion for tuberculosis commodities to reduce reliance on foreign donors.

Furthermore, ₦5 billion was allocated for reproductive health commodities to improve maternal healthcare services nationwide.