FCTA denies antivenom shortage after singer’s snakebite death

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has moved to calm public concerns following the death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene, insisting that antivenom supplies are available across all government-owned hospitals and health centres in the territory.

Nwangene’s death on Saturday triggered widespread outrage and allegations that she was unable to access antivenom after suffering a snakebite. In response, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said residents should remain calm, stressing that the territory has adequate stocks of life-saving treatment.

“Different forms and types of anti-snake venom are widely available across FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities,” Fasawe said in a statement issued on Monday night.

She explained that antivenom procurement is guided by expert input, noting that both polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms are centrally stored at the Abuja Central Medical Stores to ensure quality control and cold-chain preservation.

“Stocking decisions are guided by collaboration with veterinary doctors, who help identify the most common snake species in the FCT,” she said.

The clarification followed claims that Nwangene could not access antivenom at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi. The hospital denied the allegation, stating that its medical team responded promptly and provided appropriate care.

According to FMC management, the singer developed severe neurotoxic complications from the snakebite. While efforts were made to stabilise her and prepare her for transfer to the Intensive Care Unit, her condition reportedly deteriorated suddenly. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Condoling with the family, Fasawe described the incident as deeply distressing and urged residents to treat it as a lesson in emergency preparedness.

“The loss of a promising young life is deeply painful and distressing. I share in the family’s grief and reaffirm that such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously,” she said.

She warned that venomous snakes, including cobras, vipers and puff adders, are present in both urban and peri-urban areas of the FCT, adding that “all snakebites must be treated as venomous until proven otherwise”.

Fasawe advised residents to avoid unsafe first-aid practices, stressing that “prompt treatment is critical”, and disclosed that the FCTA has strengthened emergency response through the deployment of 12 newly procured ambulances.

She also warned that hospitals failing to follow approved emergency protocols would face sanctions.

“All healthcare facilities, public and private, must adhere strictly to approved clinical protocols. Monitoring and enforcement will be intensified,” she said.

10 Punchy He