The death of a 26-year-old Nigerian singer has brought new attention to a quiet but deadly problem in the country’s health system: people are still dying from snakebites that doctors say can be treated.
Ifunanya Nwangene died on January 31 after a snake bit her inside her home in Abuja. What followed was a desperate search for life-saving drugs that were not immediately available.
In her final moments, she sent a short message to friends asking for help. “Please come.”
Nwangene, who was asleep when the snake bit her wrist early in the morning, was taken to hospital soon after. According to people close to her, the first hospital she visited did not have snake antivenom.
She was later taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja, where doctors began treatment. But the drugs needed to fully manage the bite were still not enough.
A close associate said doctors explained they needed more medicine urgently. “They urgently needed neostigmine [a drug used in combination with antivenoms in snakebite cases] and additional doses of the medication already administered, explaining that the hospital had exhausted its supply”.
While a friend rushed out to buy the drug from a nearby pharmacy, Nwangene died.
“We returned to the hospital to find Ifunanya’s lifeless body on the bed,” he said. “We cried, prayed, screamed, but she could no longer hear us.”
Health experts say Nwangene’s death reflects a wider crisis. Snakebites kill tens of thousands of people every year, mostly in poorer regions. Many victims live far from hospitals or arrive at facilities without the right medicine in stock.
The World Health Organization says most snakebite deaths are avoidable if the correct antivenom is given quickly. The drugs are listed as essential medicines, but access remains uneven.
Nigeria is home to many venomous snakes, and shortages of antivenom have been reported in different parts of the country. Production problems and poor distribution across Africa have made the situation worse.
A recent international survey of healthcare workers found that almost all respondents faced problems treating snakebite patients. Common issues included lack of drugs, weak hospital equipment, and limited training.
FMC Abuja has rejected claims that the needed medicine was unavailable. In a statement, the hospital said its staff acted quickly and provided full care, including antivenom and emergency support.
“Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment… We stand by the quality of care and dedication our team demonstrates daily.”
However, the death has left many Nigerians asking why family members still had to leave the hospital to buy critical medicine during an emergency.
Global health leaders warn that snakebite treatment remains underfunded and ignored, despite clear solutions.
“Many solutions exist, but we need political will and bold commitments from partners and investors to turn the tide on this preventable yet devastating neglected tropical disease,” said Elhadj As Sy, co-chair of the Global Snakebite Taskforce.
“Snakebite must no longer be overlooked or underfunded by the international community. It is time for action – not sympathy, not statements, but action worthy of the scale of this crisis.” said Elhadj