The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured Abuja residents that antivenom for snakebites is readily available in all government-owned hospitals and public health centres across the territory.
This reassurance follows the death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene, an incident that sparked public anger and allegations of medical negligence. In response, the FCTA clarified that life-saving treatment for snakebite victims is sufficiently stocked and accessible within its healthcare facilities.
In a statement released Monday night, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, urged residents to remain calm, stressing that the FCT maintains adequate supplies of both polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms.
According to her, antivenom distribution is guided by expert input from veterinary specialists who help identify the most common venomous snake species in the FCT. She explained that these antivenoms are centrally stored at the Abuja Central Medical Stores and managed directly by the Secretariat to guarantee proper storage conditions, quality control, and uninterrupted availability.
Dr. Fasawe’s remarks came amid claims that Nwangene was unable to access antivenom after being rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi. The hospital has since denied the allegation, stating that its medical team acted promptly and administered appropriate emergency care upon her arrival.
FMC management disclosed that the late singer suffered severe neurotoxic complications from the snakebite. After an urgent assessment, doctors reportedly worked to stabilise her condition and prepare her for admission into the Intensive Care Unit. However, her health deteriorated suddenly before the transfer could be completed. Despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency interventions, she could not be revived.
Expressing condolences to the family, Dr. Fasawe described the incident as deeply painful and called for stronger emergency preparedness to prevent similar tragedies. She noted that venomous snakes—including cobras, vipers, and puff adders—are common in both urban and peri-urban areas of the FCT.
She warned that all snakebites should be treated as potentially venomous and highlighted preventive measures such as wearing protective clothing on farms, avoiding dark areas at night, clearing bushes around homes, sealing building entry points, and never attempting to handle snakes.
On emergency response, residents were advised to remain calm after a bite, immobilise the affected limb below heart level, remove tight items, gently clean the wound, and seek immediate medical attention at a hospital equipped with antivenom. She cautioned strongly against harmful practices such as cutting or sucking the wound, applying tourniquets, ice, or herbal treatments.
Dr. Fasawe emphasised that while early administration of antivenom improves survival chances, recovery is not always guaranteed—especially in cases involving neurotoxic venom—making rapid evacuation and treatment critical.
She also revealed that the FCTA has strengthened its emergency response system through improved road networks and the deployment of 12 newly equipped ambulances. Hospitals across the FCT, she added, are capable of providing advanced care, including ICU services, airway management, coagulation monitoring, and blood transfusions.
Finally, she warned that all healthcare facilities—both public and private—must strictly adhere to approved emergency protocols, noting that enforcement would be intensified and sanctions imposed on any facility found negligent.
Residents were encouraged to use official emergency lines for ambulance services, reaffirming the FCTA’s commitment to improving healthcare standards and safeguarding lives in the Federal Capital Territory.