Akobo County in urgent need of anti-venom to save victims of snake bites

The Commissioner of Akobo County, Puok Nyang Tutjiek, has asked the national government and humanitarian to provide anti-venom to prevent deaths related to snake bites.
Puok Nyang Tutjiek, Commissioner of Akobo County (File photo)

By Simon Deng

The Commissioner of Akobo County, Puok Nyang Tutjiek, has asked the national government and humanitarian to provide anti-venom to prevent deaths related to snake bites.

“I call on the government and also the humanitarian partners to response and also the ministry health should provide anti-venom to Walgak Primary Health Care Centre so that cases of snakes bites and death related to snakes bites is prevented,” said Tutjiek on Thursday in an interview.

Tutjiek said the World Food Program (WFP) is dropping food in Walgak where heavy floods have destroyed many homes and livelihoods of the people.

He disclosed snake bites are on the rise due to flooding in the area.

 “In this flood so many people are displaced to Walgak town, this flood has also displaced snakes from the bush and these snakes are among the community, I have found that 33 people were bitten by snakes and among them, 4 people died because of snake bites,” he said.

Tutjiek also revealed that armed assailants believed to be from Greater Pibor Administrative Area recently killed one girl along Walgak-Nyirol road.

“We have primary healthcare center that is offering limited health services, it is very difficult here, Walgak is supposed to have a hospital, and aid agencies are offering services but this is not enough,” he said.

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