𝟒 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊
Four Capitol-run hospitals will begin stocking polyvalent snake antivenom this week, giving Cebu Province its first ready supply of the treatment for snakebite emergencies.
The antivenom was delivered to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) last Friday and is expected to be distributed within the week to Cebu Provincial Hospital (CPH)-Carcar, CPH-Balamban, CPH-Danao and CPH-Bogo. The treatment will be provided free of charge.
“Dili man pod ta mag-ampo nga naay mapaakan og bitin, but if in case nga naa sa atong mga silingan, sa atong mga LGUs, mapaakan og venomous snake, time is of the essence, kinahanglan madala dayon sila sa atoang provincial hospitals,” PHO Chief Dr. Sheila Faciol said during the press conference on Tuesday.
The initiative marks a significant step in the provincial government’s efforts under the leadership of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro to expand specialized emergency care across its hospital network, with plans to eventually make antivenom available in all 16 Capitol-run facilities.
Faciol said the governor wants antivenom to be available in all Capitol-run hospitals. However, only the four provincial hospitals have so far secured the required Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A CSP is a special permit issued by the FDA Director General that allows a DOH-licensed hospital or a qualified licensed physician to procure and use an unregistered or unauthorized drug, vaccine, or medical device through an FDA-licensed establishment under restricted conditions.
Faciol said the PHO is now coordinating with the FDA to prioritize the issuance of CSPs for Capitol-run hospitals in Bantayan and Camotes islands to spare residents from traveling to mainland Cebu for treatment.
The antivenom is effective against bites from several venomous snake species, not just king cobras or Philippine cobras, Faciol said.
Faciol said the availability of antivenom in Capitol-run hospitals is expected to benefit both residents and visitors, particularly those exploring Cebu’s outdoor tourist destinations where venomous snake encounters are possible.
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