Abuja, Nigeria — Death of Nigerian Singer Highlights Snakebite Crisis. Abuja, Nigeria — The tragic death of Ifunanya Nwangene, a 26-year-old Nigerian singer and former contestant on The Voice Nigeria, has sparked a national debate over the availability of effective antivenoms in Nigerian hospitals, raising concerns about the country’s ability to prevent snakebite fatalities. Nwangene, also known by her stage name Nanyah, died on January 31 after being bitten by a snake in her Abuja home.
Despite her swift hospitalization, she succumbed to the bite within hours.
The incident has highlighted the critical shortage of antivenoms in Nigerian hospitals, a situation that experts say contributes to the high number of preventable snakebite fatalities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), snakebites kill one person every five minutes globally, with up to 138,000 deaths annually.
Many cases and deaths go unrecorded, particularly where victims seek care from traditional healers rather than hospitals. Campaigners argue that there is insufficient funding to meet the UN’s goals of halving deaths and disabilities from snakebites by 2030.
Snakebite envenoming is classified as a neglected tropical disease, and research investment is described as “precarious.”.
In Nwangene’s case, the first hospital she visited in Abuja reported having no antivenom available. She was later treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), where she received polyvalent snake antivenom but died due to “severe neurotoxic complications from the snakebite “and a “sudden deterioration, “according to the hospital. Sam Ezugwu, director of the Amemuso choir, of which Nwangene was a member, expressed frustration with the situation. “.
We cried, prayed, screamed, but she could no longer hear us, “he said in a statement on the choir’s Facebook page.
A poll of 904 healthcare workers across Brazil, Nigeria, India, and Indonesia by the Strike Out Snakebite global initiative found that 99% reported challenges with antivenom administration, including a lack of training, poor infrastructure, and daily shortages. Elhadj As Sy, chancellor of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and co-chair of the Global Snakebite Taskforce, called for bold commitments from partners and investors to address the crisis. “.
Snakebite must no longer be overlooked or underfunded by the international community, “he.
The FMC has denied claims of a lack of appropriate antivenom, stating that they provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
Source: Ifunanya Nwangene’s Death Highlights Nigeria’s Urgent Need for.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 3*
