The Senate has urged governments at all levels to urgently address gaps in emergency healthcare delivery by ensuring the availability of minimum stocks of anti-venom and other life-saving antidotes in hospitals across the country, especially in snake-prone areas.
The call was made during plenary on Tuesday, following recent cases of snakebites nationwide, which gained momentum, especially with the death of Ifunanya Nwangene.
Ifunanya Nwangene, a 26-year-old Nigerian singer and rising music talent, died on January 31, 2026, after suffering a snake bite at her home in Abuja, prompting widespread mourning and national discussion about emergency healthcare and antivenom availability.
Specifically, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop and enforce national guidelines mandating minimum stock levels of essential antidotes and emergency medicines in designated public and private hospitals.
It also directed health regulatory authorities to make the stocking of essential antidotes a compulsory requirement for the licensing, registration and renewal of accreditation of private hospitals.
The resolutions were adopted after consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Adebule (APC, Lagos West) under a Point of Order on a matter of urgent national importance.
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The motion drew attention to the death of a 26-year-old singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanya, who reportedly died from a snakebite last Saturday in Abuja.
According to reports, the deceased sought urgent medical attention at two hospitals but was allegedly denied treatment due to the unavailability of anti-venom at both facilities.
While presenting the motion, Senator Adebule stressed the need for federal and state governments to guarantee adequate stocking, availability and access to life-saving antidotes and emergency medicines nationwide.
Hospitals Are Grossly Unprepared For Snakebite Emergencies -Senate
She noted that Nigeria continues to experience an increase in medical emergencies such as snakebites, scorpion stings, poisoning, drug overdoses and other forms of envenomation.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) emphasised the need to prioritise states with high incidences of snakebites.
“In many parts of the country, snakebites are a common occurrence, yet our hospitals are grossly unprepared. This resolution is about saving lives and enforcing accountability,” he said.
Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South) also called for strict compliance, urging that hospital licensing be tied to minimum medical stock requirements.
Close Hospitals That Can’t Meet Basic Emergency Care
“We must go beyond resolutions. Hospitals that cannot meet basic emergency care standards should not be allowed to operate,” Ani said.
Similarly, Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West) noted that rural communities are often the most affected by inadequate healthcare services.
“The poor and those in remote communities bear the brunt of these failures. Ensuring access to anti-venom is a matter of social justice,” he stated.
In its resolutions, the Senate further called on health regulatory authorities to ensure adequate budgetary provisions and efficient supply mechanisms for public hospitals.
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark on nationwide public sensitisation campaigns on the importance of prompt hospital presentation after snakebites, poisoning and other forms of envenomation, as well as the dangers of delayed medical treatment.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and Nigerians, describing the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable.
“This is a loss that should never have happened. As a nation, we must do better to protect the lives of our citizens,” Akpabio said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
