Communique of the Toxinological Society of Nigeria: 2nd Annual General Meeting on snakebite management and research interventions, Gombe, 2025
22nd September, 2025
1.0 Preamble
The Toxinological Society of Nigeria (TSN), comprising clinicians, researchers, academics, public health experts, traditional leaders, students and policymakers, convened its Annual General Meeting from September 14–17, 2025, at Gombe State University. The theme of the Conference was: Exploring Indigenous Anti-Venom Development and Therapy in Nigeria: Policies, Challenges and Opportunities. The Opening ceremony held on the 15th September, 2025 was attended by over 1000 people including His Excellency, The Governor of Gombe State represented by His Deputy; HE Dr. Manassah Jatau, and conference participants cutting across different parts of the country. Thirty-four (34) scientific papers and two (2) plenary papers were presented during the conference, covering various aspects of Toxinology. The meeting focused on addressing the critical public health challenge of snakebite envenoming in Nigeria, which accounts for an estimated 43,000 cases and 1,900 deaths annually. Despite being reclassified as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017, snakebite management in Nigeria remains underfunded and fragmented.
The Keynote address by Prof. Abdulrazak G. Habib stressed the need for Development of Local Anti-venom capacity either directly by the Government or through Public Private partnership in order to reduce the health and economic burden of envenomation and mortality rate due to snake bite. The Society paid a courtesy visit to the Snakebite Treatment and Research Hospital, Kaltungo. The Society also held its Annual General meeting on the 16th September, 2025 that produces Dr. Peter O. Yusuf from A.B.U. Zaria as the Societal President and Mustapha Shehu Muhammad, PhD from Gombe State University as its Secretary General. The meeting appreciated the participation and warm reception by the Government of His Excellency Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. It acknowledged the efforts of the State Government towards enhancing healthcare infrastructure in the State and the readiness of the state Government to support Local anti-venom development. While thanking the Federal Government for its efforts in including snake bite in its national emergency care program through the Presidential Task Force on Healthcare and procuring over 5000 anti-venoms for distribution across the country through the Federal Ministry of Health and social welfare, this communique outlines evidence-based recommendations for immediate action by State and Federal governments, stakeholders, and the public to reduce the burden of snakebite through sustained funding, research advancement, and healthcare system strengthening.
1.1 Epidemiological Context and Urgency
Nigeria bears one of the highest burdens of snakebite envenoming in sub-Saharan Africa, with Northeastern regions disproportionately affected due to agricultural activities, livestock herding, and outdoor practices. Pediatric cases are particularly severe, representing 30% of all incidents, with higher risks of mortality and complications such as amputation, renal failure, and permanent disability. The carpet viper (Echis ocellatus), responsible for over 66% of bites, causes haemotoxic envenoming that requires immediate antivenom administration. However, delays in treatment, inadequate antivenom supply, and limited healthcare infrastructure exacerbate outcomes. The TSN emphasizes that without decisive intervention, snakebite will continue to perpetuate cycles of poverty and disability in vulnerable communities.
2.0 Key Recommendations for Intervention
2.1 Sustained Funding and Infrastructural Development
The Snakebite Treatment and Research Hospital (SBTRH) in Kaltungo serves as a critical hub for snakebite management not only for Gombe State but also for neighbouring states and countries (e.g., Cameroon and Chad). However, despite efforts by the state Government, the facilities in the centre are overstretched and obsolete, limiting capacity for effective treatment and research.
Actions Recommended:
The Gombe State Government should prioritize the expansion of SBTRH to include specialized units for paediatric care, ophthalmology (for cobra-related eye injuries).
The Federal Government should allocate dedicated funds in the national health budget for upgrading SBTRH’s infrastructure, including operating theatres, intensive care units, dialysis facilities (for renal failure cases), and laboratory equipment for venom research.
Both governments should establish a public-private partnership model to secure sustainable funding from international health organizations (e.g., WHO) and the local private sectors.
2.2 Establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Venom, Anti-Venom, and Natural Toxins Research
Nigeria lacks a centralized hub for venom research and antivenom development, leading to reliance on imported antivenoms that may not always be species-specific or affordable. The WHO roadmap aims to halve snakebite burdens by 2030. A center of excellence will position Nigeria as a leader in Toxinology research and antivenom production.
Actions Recommended:
Establishment of National/African Centre of Excellence for Venom, Anti-Venom, and Natural Toxins Research in Gombe State. The centre will partner with existing centers of excellence (e.g., VACSERA in Egypt for antivenom research) to leverage technical expertise and funding opportunities.
The Centre will focus research on developing locally relevant antivenoms against carpet vipers and other medically important snakes, reducing dependence on costly imports.
2.3 Allocation of State Tax Revenue to Antivenom Procurement
Many patients pay out-of-pocket for antivenom, leading to underdosing or use of ineffective alternatives. Studies show that antivenom cost and delayed administration are significantly associated with poor outcomes. Sustainable financing is critical to achieving the WHO goals for snakebite control.
Actions Recommended:
Gombe State should allocate 1% of its internal revenue to a dedicated snakebite response fund, covering free antivenom distribution and emergency care for victims.
Explore cross-subsidization models where state health insurance schemes cover antivenom costs for low-income households.
2.4 Establishment of a National Snakebite Hospital in Kaltungo LGA
The SBTRH already serves as a de facto national center but requires elevation to a specialized institution. Centralized expertise will improve outcomes for complex cases and facilitate nationwide data sharing for policy development.
Actions Recommended:
Upgrade SBTRH to the National Snakebite Hospital through an Act of the National Assembly, with funding from the Federal Ministry of Health.
Expand its mandate to include national snakebite surveillance, data collection, and training for healthcare workers from all regions.
Develop a telemedicine network linking the hospital to peripheral clinics for real-time consultation, mirroring successful models like the Remote Envenoming Consultation Service in Malaysia.
Integration of SBTRH with Gombe State University to serve as a teaching, research, and rural posting centre for medical, nursing, and pharmacy students. The Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University, Prof. Sani Ahmed Yauta, through his speech during the Conference, has demonstrated interest in this regard and is ready to provide all necessary support towards its implementation. This integration will address the shortage of trained healthcare workers in rural areas and foster evidence-based practices.
Develop a curriculum on clinical Toxinology and snakebite management for health trainees.
Collaboration to secure grants for joint research programs between GSU and SBTRH focusing on antivenom efficacy, venom profiling, and community-based prevention strategies.
Conclusion and Call to Action
While thanking the State and the Federal Governments for their efforts towards addressing snake-bite envenomation through the intervention by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, The TSN urges the Federal Government, Gombe State Government, and international partners to act immediately on these recommendations. The meeting also urges all stake holders including members of the public, philanthropist and non-governmental organizations to invest on anti-venom procurement to reduce the burden of envenomation in Nigeria. Snakebite envenoming is a preventable and treatable condition, yet it continues to cause needless deaths and disabilities due to systemic neglect. By investing in infrastructure, research, and sustainable financing, Nigeria can become a model for snakebite management in Africa and contribute to the WHO goal of halving the global burden of snakebite by 2030.
Mustapha Shehu Muhammad PhD.
Secretary General, Toxinological Society of Nigeria
