Written by Omeiza Ajayi
Residents have been informed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) that antivenom supplies are still readily available and fully stocked in all FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities.
The revelation was made in direct response to the growing public outcry following the singer and social media influencer’s untimely death. Ifunanya Nwangene suffered a snakebite at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), a facility maintained by the federal government in Jabi, Abuja.
Allegations of medical negligence and a perceived lack of life-saving care in the territory’s healthcare system erupted after her death.
In a statement, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, mandate secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, emphasized that the region has a sizable stock of polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms, all of which are subject to strict quality control procedures.
The Mandate Secretary emphasized that “all snakebites must be treated as venomous until proven otherwise” in the event of an encounter.
The suggested course of action is maintaining composure, immobilizing the affected limb, and obtaining emergency medical attention while eschewing dangerous customs like cutting the wound or using tourniquets.
Dr. Fasawe emphasized that the FCTA has made substantial investments in emergency infrastructure, such as the addition of 12 new ambulances and increased ICU capacity.
She was adamant about the level of care, though, when she warned medical professionals about it. “I want to reiterate that approved clinical protocols must be strictly adhered to by all healthcare facilities, both public and private,” she said. “Facilities found to be negligent will face sanctions, and monitoring and enforcement will be intensified.”
In the end, according to the administration, prompt medical attention is still the most important component of survival.
“Even though antivenom works best when given early, its use does not guarantee recovery, especially where neurotoxic symptoms have already manifested, underscoring the need for rapid evacuation,” Dr. Fasawe cautioned the public.
“A variety of anti-snake venom forms and types are widely available across FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities,” she said.
“Stocking decisions are guided by collaboration with veterinary doctors, who help identify the most common snake species in the FCT,” she clarified.
The Secretariat directly oversees quality and cold-chain integrity at the Abuja Central Medical Stores, where the antivenoms are centrally held to preserve the effectiveness of these therapies, she said.
According to her, this logistical framework is intended to guarantee that the required medication is both effective and accessible in the event of an emergency.
This assurance is urgent because of rumors about Ms. Nwangene’s care at the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi.
Critics claimed that the hospital did not have the required antivenom, however the institution denied these allegations. The patient was brought in long after the bite, according to FMC Jabi, and was already exhibiting severe neurotoxic symptoms, such as respiratory distress.
Regardless of the availability of antivenom, the institution observed that such a delayed presentation considerably lowers the chance of survival.
Speaking about the tragedy, Dr. Fasawe offered the lost family his sincere condolences and framed the event as a pivotal moment in raising public awareness.
“The loss of a promising young life is deeply painful and distressing,” she said, adding that “such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously, with strengthened measures to prevent recurrence.”
Asawe classified snakebite as an avoidable public health emergency, pointing out that as urban areas spread into natural ecosystems, poisonous species including cobras, vipers, and puff adders are becoming more common.
To guarantee prompt transportation to the closest accredited facility, residents are urged to utilize the special emergency ambulance lines at 090157892931 and 090157892932.
