Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The immediate past Governor of Benue State and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, has once again come to the rescue of snakebite victims by sponsoring the treatment of three patients from Guma Local Government Area, with all their hospital bills cleared on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The three beneficiaries, Terungwa Ayaka from Mbayer Yandev, Mluwan Gbilin from Gbajimba, and Movinga Igbauhe, also from Gbajimba, were discharged after receiving the necessary anti-snake venom doses and other medical attention through the former governor’s intervention.
Terungwa Ayaka received nine doses of anti-snake venom, alongside other medical treatments, at a total cost of ₦2.1 million. Mluwan Gbilin received four doses of anti-snake venom and other medical care amounting to ₦900,000, while Movinga Igbauhe received one dose of anti-snake venom and other medical treatment costing ₦285,000.
The total expenditure on the treatment of the three patients amounted to ₦3.285 million, fully sponsored by Chief Ortom, ensuring that the victims were discharged without outstanding hospital bills.
The intervention is another demonstration of the former governor’s humanitarian commitment to saving lives and providing assistance to vulnerable residents of Benue State, even more than three years after leaving office. His continued support for snakebite victims has offered relief to families confronted with the financial burden of emergency medical treatment.
Recall that Chief Samuel Ortom began providing free treatment for snakebite victims as far back as 2000, long before he became Governor of Benue State.
In 2022, during his administration, the then Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Joseph Ngbea, presented a memo seeking approval for the state government to take over the funding of the treatment. The request was promptly approved, and the government continued to sustain the programme until 2023, when Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia assumed office as governor.
Sadly, the programme was reportedly discontinued under the Alia administration through the then Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, leaving questions about the fate of vulnerable snakebite victims who depended on the free treatment to survive.
The discharged victims and their families expressed profound appreciation to Chief Samuel Ortom for coming to their aid at a critical moment when the cost of treatment threatened their access to life-saving medical care. They described his intervention as timely and compassionate, noting that his financial support enabled them to receive the anti-snake venom and other medical attention they desperately needed.
They thanked the former governor for demonstrating concern for their lives and welfare, praying that God would continue to strengthen and bless him for his humanitarian deeds. The families also expressed relief and gratitude that their loved ones had recovered sufficiently to be discharged, with all medical bills settled.
Chief Ortom’s latest intervention adds to his record of providing assistance to snakebite victims who require urgent medical attention but face financial difficulties. For the beneficiaries and their families, the support was more than financial assistance; it was an intervention that helped them access treatment and return home after a frightening medical ordeal.
The development has once again drawn attention to the need for accessible and affordable emergency healthcare, particularly for rural communities where snakebites can become life-threatening emergencies and the cost of anti-snake venom remains a major challenge for many families.