The Wa East District with its capital Funsi in the Upper West region is grappling with the growing number of deadly snakes that attack residents on daily basis Today can state on authority.
The aggravated situation has sent fears and apprehension down the spines of residents who continue to bear the brunt of the night attackers that mostly vent their spleen on innocent people due to lack of electricity at Funsi and its surroundings.
Lamenting on the situation, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Hon. Ameen Salifu, told Today that the situation has compounded the health challenges confronting the district.
According to him, the area lacked a well equipped health centre to treat victims suffering from snake bites.
He said the precarious situation often compelled victims to be sent to Wa, a distance of 125KM by which time they mostly end up dead on the way.
On measures being taken to save lives of victims from snake bites, he noted that upon enquiry from the District Health Director, Mr Dumba, he complained that there is non-existence of anti-snake drugs to serve the few health posts in the district and also lacked the required personnel to man them.
About two to one person get bitten by the sleek reptiles at night usually when they return from their various farms since 90% of the residents are peasant farmers who mostly depend on farming activities as their source of livelihood. The reptiles most often lay ambush and strike at victims on some major footpaths.
Against this background, he appealed to the ministry of health and its stakeholders, other relevant agencies including NGOs to urgently come to their to enable them provide anti-snake serums in an effort to ameliorate the situation in order to save lives of residents.
STORY: ANTHONY KWESI COOMSON