Senate Urges Mandatory Anti-Venom Stocking for Private Hospitals After Singer's Snakebite Death

Following the death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, from complications of a snakebite, the Senate has urged health regulatory agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Health, to make the availability of anti-venoms and other essential reptile antidotes a mandatory requirement for the licensing, registration, and renewal of accreditation of private hospitals.

The upper chamber also called on the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to collaborate with NAFDAC to ensure the availability of safe and affordable anti-venoms in hospitals across the country.

Motion Sponsored by Senator Idiat Adebule

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Adebule during plenary. While presenting the motion, Adebule urged the Senate to call on health regulatory agencies to make the stocking of essential antidotes a mandatory condition for licensing and accreditation of private hospitals.

Allegations of Negligence and Hospital Response

Reports circulating on social media alleged that the hospital was negligent and lacked anti-snake venom when Nwangene was brought in for treatment.

However, the management of FMC denied the allegations, stating that the hospital was neither negligent nor lacking anti-snake venom. They explained that Ms. Nwangene died from severe neurotoxic complications resulting from the snakebite.

A member of the Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene was a soprano singer, claimed that as she was being treated at the FMC, the doctor in charge informed them that they urgently needed Neostigmine and additional doses of the medication already administered because the hospital had exhausted its supply.

He added that on the way to get the medication at Skylark Pharmacy, close to the National Hospital, the sad news came that she had passed.

Broader Implications for Nigerian Healthcare

The takeaway from the sad incident is that Nigerian public institutions are never prepared for emergencies. It is only when sad incidents like this happen that the country’s leaders begin to sermonise. Governments at all levels need to be more proactive in addressing health-related emergencies. Why should medical centres not have common antidotes? How many Nigerians will have to die due to the negligence of hospitals? It is unfortunate that the deceased died the way she did. Nigeria must take healthcare very seriously. The fatalities from snakebites are too common these days, much like challenges in sickle cell care and health insurance access.